Bruins sweep Dickinson State, Grace

Dickinson State Box Score
Grace Box Score

NSAA Standings

OMAHA, Neb. -- The 21st-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team recorded a pair of 3-0 sweeps Saturday, defeating Dickinson State University in a North Star Athletic Association match, before handling host Grace University in the non-conference nightcap. 

The Bruins improved to 27-9 overall and 12-3 in league play with the two wins. 

Bellevue has now won three-straight matches and 10 of its last 11. 

The Bruins will host Dakota State University on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

Bellevue 3, Dickinson State 0

Michaela Gardner pounded a career-high 14 kills on .345 hitting as the Bruins cruised to the 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-12) victory in the opening match. Mikaylah Gillespie provided 10 kills and hit .429 while adding a match-high six blocks.

Maddie Squiers directed the BU offense to a .311 hitting percentage, dishing out 39 assists, while adding six digs and a pair of blocks.

Taylor Holz anchored the Bruin defense with 18 digs as BU held a 43-40 advantage in the defensive digs column.  

Ellie Hanser paced the Bluehawks with eight digs, while Shaylee Singleton (13) and Alli Hert (10) combined for 23 digs to lead the DSU defense. 

The Bluehawks fell to 11-18 overall and 5-7 in the NSAA with the loss. 

The Bruins will host Dakota State University on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

Bellevue 3, Grace 0

Gardner and Shayla Scanlan each produced nine kills in the 25-13, 25-14, 25-19 win over Grace as the Bruins outhit the Royals, .315 to .096. Scanlan's nine kills came on 17 errorless swings for a .529 hitting percentage. Gardner hit .533 with just one error in 15 attempts. 

Squiers recorded her team-leading 11th double-double of the season, finishing with 42 assists and 10 digs to go along with three kills and a service ace. 

Along with Squiers, two other Bruins finished in double figures in digs with Holz leading the way with 16 digs and a pair of service aces. Pakalana Helekahi collected 10 digs, seven kills, and a match-high three service aces. 

Grace fell to 12-17 on the season after the loss.