The Valley City State University (VCSU) Vikings swept Dickinson State in straight sets to secure a spot in the next round of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) playoffs.

The Vikings had a slow start in the first set, with a series of overhits allowing the Blue Hawks to take an early lead. VCSU rallied, however, pulling ahead for a slim 16-15 advantage midway through the set. From there, the Vikings surged with a 9-2 run to win the opener 25-17.

Set two saw the Vikings take control early, jumping to a 12-6 lead. Both teams then engaged in a close exchange of points, capped by a behind-the-head tip by Sadie Hanson, giving VCSU set point at 24-18. Dickinson State fought back, trimming the lead to 24-22 and forcing a Vikings timeout, but VCSU clinched the set 25-22 with a kill by Morgan Nelson.

In the third set, the teams stayed close at 6-6 before VCSU broke away with a decisive 15-6 run. The Blue Hawks mounted a late rally, narrowing the gap to 23-17, but the Vikings closed out the set 25-17 on a Nelson kill and a Dickinson State violation, sealing the match.

Valley City State will face the Jamestown Jimmies on Friday, November 15, in Bellevue, Nebraska, in the next round of the NSAA playoffs.