JAMESTOWN – A spirited rivalry brought a spirited match, but the nationally-ranked team prevailed.

University of Jamestown Women’s Volleyball, second ranked in the NAIA poll, held off a good challenge Saturday to defeat Valley City State University 25-21, 25-13, 25-21 at Harold Newman Arena.

The first set was tight.  VCSU (11-12, 3-4 NSAA) led 15-14 before Jamestown scored five straight on a Lexi Olson solo block, kills by Aleah Zieske, Olson and Zieske again and a combined block by Zieske and Olson.  Then, the Vikings came back with five in a row on two kills by Rosie Anderson, an error, a Morgan Freije kill and another error.  VCSU led 20-18 before Jamestown (18-0, 7-0) scored seven of the last eight points, led by four more kills from Zieske, including one on set point.

Valley City State led 4-1 early in set two before Jamestown rallied for a 10-10 tie.  Eight of the next nine then went to the Jimmies as Zieske had three kills, Olson served an ace and Lempka had a kill.  Zieske ended the set with three more kills, then an ace to round out the set.

VCSU had several leads in the second set before Jamestown’s late rally secured the match.

For the Jimmies, it is their 15th straight three-set sweep and they have now won 48 sets in a row.

Zieske had 22 kills to lead Jamestown’s attack, along with eight digs and an ace.  Lempka had nine kills and a block assist.  Olson registered seven kills, four digs, an ace, one solo block and two block assists.  Karlie Anderson and Charlee Krieg had six kills apiece.  Lily Bertsch had 25 set assists and Tenley Buddenhagen had 24.  Grace Hegerle scored 14 digs, with Ellie Holen having 13.

Macy Fridgen was the attack leader for VCSU with 10 and also had a dig.  Freije and Anderson each had six.  JayCee Richter had 10 digs and an ace.  Sadie Hansen had 24 set assists.

Jamestown will return to action Friday against Dakota State in Madison, South Dakota.  Valley City State will play Thursday at Mayville State.