Valley City–After dispatching of Dakota State, a team receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, Friday night in four sets, the Viking volleyball team tried out their giant-killer routine on 14th-ranked Bellevue Saturday.

Bellevue survived, but the 11 VCSU freshman and sophomores sent a message to the North Star Athletic Association counterparts, running the match to five sets, ultimately falling 3-2 (25-21, 25-27, 25-22, 26-28, 15-8) at Graichen Gym.

Six Vikings led a spirited defensive effort with double-figure dig performances, while Valley City State’s lone senior, Bailey Nelson (Argusville, ND) teamed with former Northern Cass Jaguar teammate Emma Lucas (Fr., Argusville, ND) with 16 kills to lead the offense.

Danielle Hagler (Fr., Cando, ND) added 11 kills, while Sadie Hanson (So., Oakes, ND), registered 45 assists and JayCee Richter (Fr., Linton, ND) led the digging effort with 33.

Bellevue had not lost a set in five straight matches, and narrowly avoided their first NSAA loss by reversing a late six-point lead in the first set, then stretching out a fifth-set advantage behind sophomore Jacki Apel (Bellevue, NE).  Apel dominated the front row with 19 kills, a .421 hitting percentage, and six blocks.

“I’m a big culture person, and we have buy-in from everyone,” Viking head coach Brigitte Greywater said following the match.  “Our players are all buying in, they have since we started in August, and our confidence really came up this weekend.”

When asked if the expectations were also raised, Greywater stated simply, “I feel we’re in a good spot.  Viterbo still has to come here.  We get Bellevue again there, we will go after them.”  Viterbo is ranked 8th nationally, and the Vikings took the first set in that match in their most recent loss before Saturday.

Valley City State falls to 8-9 overall, 3-2 in NSAA play, and travels to Mayville State Wednesday night.  First serve is scheduled at 6:00 PM, pregame coverage on KOVC will begin at 5:30 PM.