Box Score - Newman University vs. Northern State

Box Score - Northern State vs. Bemidji State

ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Northern State volleyball team opened up 2008 with a 2-0 record at the Las Vegas Blast Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Wolves beat Newman University 3-0 in the first set to open up the tournament, and then later in the afternoon, beat NSIC foe Bemidji State by a score of 3-2.

In the first match against Newman, Northern jumped out to an early by a 4-1 advantage and never relinquished it, winning 25-18.  The second match proved to be all dominance by the Wolves as they jumped out early again, this time by a score of 9-3, cruising to an eventual score of 25-8.  The third game proved a little closer and tougher, as the two teams fought to a 20-20 score, but Northern worked though by some kills by seniors Jill Rasmussen and Kelsey Aden to put their opposition away with a score of 25-22.

Aden and Rasmussen led the Wolves in kills with 13 and 11, respectively, with Rasmussen leading the way with her .455 hitting percentage.  Setter Megan Gilbraith made the offense click with her 35 assists, and libero Stephanie Nygaard held up the defensive end, leading the way with 12 digs.

Rasmussen and Melanie Perez both notched service aces, with Aden shelling out three to lead the way.

Against Bemidji, close match followed close match as the Wolves won the first two, by scores of 25-23 and 25-15.  The Beavers then went on a run of their own, winning the next two matches by scores of 25-15 and 25-16.  In the final match, the Wolves jumped out 3-1 with kills by Melanie Perez and Kayla Ysteboe, and the third point coming via service ace by Stephanie Nygaard.  The teams then fought to a 9-9 tie, and then again at 13-13, and once more at 14-14, and finally at 15-15 before a kill by Kayla Ysteboe and a set-clinching ace from senior Jill Rasmussen put the Beavers away by a score of 17-15.

Leading the way in the second set were Kelsey Aden and Melanie Perez in kills with 14 and 12 respectively, and Megan Gilbraith in assists with 37.  Four players had double-digit dig amounts with Nygaard leading the way with 17, followed by Gilbraith with 15, Perez with 14, and Aden with 12.  The team also had six blocks.

The Wolves play again tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. once again against Newman University before their final game at 2:00 against Oregon Institute of Technology.