BU Cruises Past Bismarck State for Sixth Straight Win
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The eighth-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team extended its winning streak to six matches with a decisive 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-20) sweep over Bismarck State College in Frontier Conference action Saturday afternoon inside the BU Fieldhouse.
Bentlee Kollbaum led a balanced BU attack with seven kills, while right sides Rowyn Scheer and Sophia McIntyre each added five kills apiece. Kealy Kiviniemi finished with six kills on .333 hitting, adding two digs and a pair of blocks. Mila Aiwohi paced the offense with 22 assists, with Jada Nunn contributing 13 assists and four digs. Zoie Roghair anchored the back row with a match-high 15 digs.
For Bismarck State, Dedra Wood and Chelsa Krom paced the Mystics with seven kills each, while Reese Duchsherer tallied six kills and nine digs.
With the win, the Bruins improved to 16-3 overall and 12-2 in the Frontier Conference, while BSC fell to 3-15 (1-12 FC).
Set 1: Bellevue 25, Bismarck State 17
BU raced out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set behind three quick kills from Kiviniemi, forcing an early Mystic timeout. The Bruins never trailed, cruising to a 25-17 win on the strength of 15 kills and a .225 hitting clip.
Set 2: Bellevue 25, Bismarck State 18
The second set featured one tie and one lead change early before a 7-1 BU run—highlighted by a Roghair service ace and kills from Payton Dzingle and Kollbaum—put the Bruins comfortably ahead. BSC battled late, but BU closed out the frame on a block by Chloe Cloud and Kenzie Polk on Emerson Carufel to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set 3: Bellevue 25, Bismarck State 20
The Mystics came out strong in the third, jumping to a 6-3 advantage before the Bruins responded with a 7-2 spurt keyed by Scheer and Kamryn Scheib. BSC later used a 5-0 run to pull within three at 23-20, prompting a BU timeout. Out of the break, a Mystic service error and an Aspen Meyer kill sealed the sweep for the Bruins. BU hit a match-best .324 in the final frame.
Up Next:
BU hits the road next Friday, Oct. 17, for a Frontier Conference showdown at Rocky Mountain College. First serve is set for 7 p.m. (CT) in Billings, Mont.
