Valley City State University’s volleyball team saw a promising start evaporate in Bismarck on Friday night, falling in four sets to Bismarck State College. Despite a standout individual performance by Molly Bjorneby, the Vikings could not sustain the momentum generated in the opening set, ultimately dropping the match 25-23, 17-25, 21-25, 19-25 at the Bavendick Center. The loss brings the Vikings’ record to 8-19 overall and 6-14 in Frontier Conference play.
The Statistical Gap at the Net
The match was defined by a disparity in offensive efficiency and defensive pressure at the net. While Valley City State managed a balanced attack, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing the night with a .108 attack percentage. In contrast, the Mystics of Bismarck State used a more potent offense, recording 53 kills on a .192 attack percentage. The defensive difference was even more pronounced; Bismarck State tallied 10 blocks, effectively stifling the Viking hitters, while Valley City State recorded only five blocks throughout the four-set contest.
Molly Bjorneby anchored the Viking effort with a double-double, contributing 12 kills and 11 digs. Her performance was supported by a group of contributors, including Mady Geist, who added nine kills, and the trio of Eden Carrier, Kadie Kocka, and Madden Bogenreif, who each chipped in eight kills. On the other side of the net, Reese Duchsherer proved to be a significant hurdle for the Vikings, leading the Mystics with a match-high 23 kills and 15 digs.
Vikings Secure Initial Set Victory Before Momentum Stalls
The Vikings appeared to be in control early. After falling behind 11-9 in the first set, they surged with a 5-0 run to take a 14-11 lead. They extended that lead to 20-14 behind a series of aggressive swings from Bjorneby. Although the Mystics clawed back to within a single point at 24-23, a decisive block by Ellie Lucas and Eden Carrier sealed the set for Valley City State. That success, however, proved difficult to replicate.
The second set mirrored the first in intensity but shifted in outcome. The Vikings built an early 9-6 lead, but Bismarck State responded with five consecutive points to seize control. The Mystics closed the set on a 5-0 run, leveling the match at one set apiece. The third set followed a similar trajectory; Valley City State held an 11-8 advantage, but the Mystics again utilized a five-point run to overtake the lead. Despite a late rally by the Vikings—highlighted by a service ace from Kadie Kocka—the deficit proved too large to overcome, and the Mystics claimed the set 25-21.
The fourth set saw Bismarck State pull away early, establishing an 11-5 lead. While the Vikings managed to close the gap to 17-14 and again to 19-16, they were unable to force a fifth set. The final result reflects the broader challenges the team has faced during this conference stretch, where maintaining leads against high-pressure, defensive-minded opponents remains the primary hurdle.
Looking Toward Bellevue
The Vikings now look to reset before their next outing. The schedule does not offer much time for reflection, as the team prepares to host Bellevue University on November 6 at 6:00 PM. For a team currently sitting at 8-19, the upcoming match is an opportunity to use the balanced offensive production seen against Bismarck State while shoring up the defensive lapses that allowed the Mystics to close out sets with significant scoring runs.
The reliance on multiple contributors—exemplified by Bogenreif’s 20 assists and 10 digs alongside Gracie Schumacher’s 19 assists and 10 digs—suggests the framework for a more consistent attack is in place. Whether the Vikings can translate that depth into a full-match performance against Bellevue will be the defining question as they finish the final weeks of their conference schedule.
