Athen reaches 1,000 kills as BU sweeps doubleheader at DiSU

Match 1 Box Score
Match 2 Box Score
NSAA Standings

DICKINSON, N.D. -- With her third kill in the Bruins' second match against Dickinson State University, junior outside hitter Sierra Athen became the 19th player in school history to reach 1,000 kills as the 12th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team swept a pair of contests at Dickinson State University Friday night at Scott Gymnasium.

The Bruins won both matches by identical 3-1 scores to improve to 10-2 on the season and 8-0 in the NSAA. Dickinson State dropped to 5-7 overall and 4-6 in league play.

Bellevue won the first match, 25-16, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23 before taking the second match, 25-12, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22.

The Bruins will travel to Valley City, N.D. tomorrow (Mar. 13) for a noon NSAA match at Valley City State University.

Match 1: Bellevue 3, Dickinson State 1

Athen led the Bruins in the opener with 18 kills and 14 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. She also added a pair of service aces in the victory.

Junior middle Coree Lipovsky tallied nine kills on .375 hitting and added five blocks.

Sienna Black recorded seven kills and five blocks in the victory

Olivia Galas dished out 47 assists and 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. 

Anna Koehler paced the Bruin defense with a match-high 15 digs. 

Baylie Dashner led the Blue Hawks with 11 kills and eight digs. Mackenna Johnson added 10 kills and three digs. The DiSU defense was paced by Sarah Dobitz' 12 digs and two service aces.

Match 2: Bellevue 3, Dickinson State 1

Freshman Eve Fountain powered BU in the nightcap with a match-high 19 kills on .341 hitting while adding eight digs and two solo blocks.

Athen provided 12 kills and three blocks.

Galas produced her team-leading seventh double-double of the season, registering 45 assists and 10 digs along with four kills. 

Koehler anchored the BU defense with 15 digs.

Dashner (14) and Johnson (12) combined for 26 kills to lead the Blue Hawk offense.