August 26, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its second installment of the volleyball players-of-the-week honors Monday.  Eve Fountain of Bellevue (Neb.) was selected as the Attacker-of-the-Week, while her teammate Mila Aiwohi was chosen as the Setter-of-the-Week.  Kate VanRooyan of Dakota State (S.D.) was named as the Defender-of-the-Week for the second straight week.

NSAA Volleyball Attacker-of-the-Week
Eve Fountain – Bellevue (Neb.) – 5’9”, Junior, outside hitter – Omaha, Neb. – Fountain recorded back-to-back double-doubles in No. 14 ranked Bellevue’s (Neb.) victories over (RV) Bendecitine (Kan.) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).  The Bruins went 2-1 in their own home tournament (GoSpary.com tournament).  For the week, Fountain accumulated 47 kills and hit .343.  She averaged 4.3 kills per set.  She added 40 total digs (3.6 digs per set), four service aces, and four blocks.

NSAA Volleyball Setter-of-the-Week
Mila Aiwohi – Bellevue (Neb.) – 5’0”, sophomore, setter – Ewa Beach, Hawaii – Aiwohi posted double digits set assists in helping No. 14 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) to a 2-1 record in their home tournament.   She posted a double-double of 24 assists and 10 digs in 3-1 victory over (RV) Benedictine (Kan.).  For the week, Aiwohi collected 65 set assists (5.9 set assists per set) and 17 digs (1.6 digs per set).  She also had two service aces and a kill.

NSAA Volleyball Defender-of-the-Week
Kate VanRooyan – Dakota State (S.D.) – 5’5”, Sophomore, defensive specialist – Dakota Dunes, S.D. – VanRooyan paced (RV) Dakota State’s (S.D.) defense with 31 digs in 3-1 home opener victory over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  She averaged 7.8 digs per set in Trojans’ lone match of the week. VanRooyan registered a reception rate of 92.9 percent (1 error in 14 receptions).  She contributed six set assists, a service ace, and a kill in the match. 

Recap from last week’s action
No. 14 Bellevue (Neb.) hosted their own home tournament last weekend in the GoSarpy.com tournament.  The Bruins opened with a 3-1 victory over (RV) Benedictine (Kan.) on Aug. 23.  BU followed up with a split on the second day on Aug. 24, defeating Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 3-1 and falling to No. 13 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan in three straight sets.  Bellevue is 4-2 overall record on the season.

Dickinson State (N.D.) opened their season in the Bellevue’s tournament, earning a 3-2 thrilling victory over No. 25 ranked Ottawa (Kan.) on Aug. 23.  The Blue Hawks fell to Benedictine in the second match in three straight sets on the opening day.  DiSU also split a pair of matches on the second day on Aug. 24, sweeping Avila (Mo.) in three straight sets and falling to No. 17 ranked College of Saint Mary (Neb.) in five set.  Dickinson State is 2-2 overall record.

Dakota State (S.D.), receiving votes in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 national poll, kicked off their home schedule with a 3-1 victory over (RV) Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  It was the lone match of the week for the Trojans, who raised their overall record to 3-2.

No. 9 Jamestown (N.D.), Mayville State (N.D.), and Valley City State (N.D.) were idle from regular season matches last week.

Looking Ahead
(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) hosts (RV) Morningside (Iowa) in a non-conference contest on Wednesday evening.

Five North Star Athletic Association members will be playing in the Siouxland Invitational on Friday and Saturday, including Dakota State, Dickinson State (N.D.), No. 9 Jamestown (N.D.), Mayville State (N.D.), and Valley City State (N.D.). 

No. 14 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) is slated to play three matches in the College of Saint Mary (Neb.) Labor Day Classic in Omaha, Neb. on Friday and Saturday.

            Wednesday’s Match
            (RV) Morningside (Iowa) @ (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) – 7 p.m.

            Friday’s Matches
            College of Saint Mary (Neb.) Labor Day Tournament – Omaha, Neb.
                        (14) Bellevue (Neb.) vs. St. Francis (Ind.) – 10 a.m.
                        (14) Bellevue (Neb.) vs. (4) Concordia (Neb.) – 2 p.m.
            Siouxland Invitational – North Sioux City, S.D.
                        (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) vs. York (Neb.) – 11 a.m.
                        Mayville State (N.D.) vs. Briar Cliff (Iowa) – 11 a.m.
                        (22) Valley City State (N.D.) vs. (RV) McPherson (Kan.) – 11 a.m.
                        (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) vs. (RV) Benedictine (Kan.) – 1:30 p.m.
                        (9) Jamestown (N.D.) vs. (RV) Morningside (Iowa) – 1:30 p.m.
                        Mayville State (N.D.) vs. Dordt (Iowa) – 4 p.m.
                        (22) Valley City State (N.D.) vs. Briar Cliff (Iowa) – 4 p.m.
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. (RV) Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) – 4 p.m. (CT)/3 p.m. (MT)
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. St. Ambrose (Iowa) – 6:30 p.m. (CT)/5:30 p.m. (MT)
                        (9) Jamestown (N.D.) vs. (RV) McPherson (Kan.) – 6:30 p.m.

            Saturday’s Matches
            College of Saint Mary (Neb.) Labor Day Tournament – Omaha, Neb.
                        (14) Bellevue (Neb.) vs. Mount Mercy (Iowa) – 9 a.m.
            Siouxland Invitational – North Sioux City, S.D.
                        (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) vs. Haskell (Kan.) – 9 a.m.
                        (9) Jamestown (N.D.) vs. (RV) Benedictine (Kan.) – 9 a.m.
                        Mayville State (N.D.) vs. (RV) Morningside (Iowa) – 11:30 a.m.
                        (22) Valley City State (N.D.) vs. Dordt (Iowa) – 11:30 a.m.
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. Briar Cliff (Iowa) – 11:30 a.m. (CT)/10:30 a.m. (MT)
                        (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) vs. (RV) McPherson (Kan.) – 2 p.m.
                        (9) Jamestown (N.D.) vs. St. Ambrose (Iowa) – 2 p.m.
                        (22) Valley City State (N.D.) vs. Haskell (Kan.) – 2 p.m.
                        Dickinson State (N.D.) vs. Dordt (Iowa) – 4:30 p.m. (CT)/3:30 p.m. (MT)

NSAA Volleyball Standings
 

School	Overall Record	NSAA Record	Games Behind	Streak
(14) Bellevue (Neb.)	4-2	0-0	-----	Lost 1
(RV) Dakota State (S.D.)	3-2	0-0	-----	Won 2
Mayville State (N.D.)	1-1	0-0	-----	Won 1
Dickinson State (N.D.)	2-2	0-0	-----	Lost 1
(22) Valley City State (N.D.)	2-2	0-0	-----	Lost 1
(9) Jamestown (N.D.)	0-0	0-0	----	-----