VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)–The Michelle Meiklejohn era started strongly for Viking volleyball on Friday.

Valley City State opened their season with a doubleheader against Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) foes Briar Cliff and fifth-ranked Northwestern with a split, sweeping Briar Cliff and falling to the host Red Raiders.

The Vikings won a 27-25 opening set against the Trojans, then rolled to complete the sweep (27-25, 25-16, 25-14).  Bailey Nelson, back for a fifth season with a Covid year to use, led the Vikings with 15 kills.  Emma Lucas and Morgan Freije each knocked down eight kills, with Freije adding five blocks.  Setter Sadie Hansen notched 37 assists.

Fifth-ranked Northwestern defeated the Vikings 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-16) to cap the trip for the Vikings.  Lucas led the Vikings with seven kills, with Nelson, Freije and transer Mardi Scutchings added six.  Nelson added 24 assists.

The Vikings travel to Sioux City, IA for three matches Friday and Saturday.  They will face Mount Marty, Mount Mercy, and have a rematch with Briar Cliff.