September 16, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced their fifth edition of the volleyball players-of-the-week honors Monday.  Kealy Kiviniemi of Bellevue (Neb.) was selected as the Attacker-of-the-Week.  Sade Hansen of Valley City State (N.D.) was named as the Setter-of-the-Week.  Kate VanRooyan of Dakota State (S.D.) was chosen as the Defender-of-the-Week.

NSAA Volleyball Attacker-of-the-Week
Kealy Kiviniemi – Bellevue (Neb.) – 6’1”, Junior, right side – Bellevue, Neb. – Kiviniemi averaged 3.5 kills per set as No. 8 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) went 3-0 record in the St. Ambrose (Iowa) Tournament.  She smashed 15 kills and hit .324 in BU’s 3-1 victory over No. 14 ranked Park (Mo.).  She followed up with nine kills in Bruins’ 3-0 sweep over Judson (Ill.) and wrapped up with 14 kills in BU’s 3-1 victory over St. Ambrose.  For the week, Kiviniemi accumulated 38 kills and hit nearly .300.  She also had four blocks in the tournament.

NSAA Volleyball Setter-of-the-Week
Sadie Hansen – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’10”, Senior, setter – Oakes, N.D. – Hansen averaged 9.3 set assists per set as (RV) Valley City State (N.D.) went 2-0 record for the week.  She collected 46 assists and collected eight digs in VCSU’s 3-1 home victory over NCAA Division III Concordia (Minn.).  She followed up with a double-double of 38 set assists and 15 digs in a 3-2 victory over No. 15 ranked Morningside (Iowa).  For the week, Hansen amassed 84 set assists and 23 digs (2.6 digs per set).  She also smashed eight kills and earned two blocks.

NSAA Volleyball Defender-of-the-Week
Kate VanRooyan – Dakota State (S.D) – 5’5”, Sophomore, defensive specialist – Dakota Dunes, S.D. – VanRooyan tallied a season-high 33 digs in helping (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) to a 3-1 road victory at Dakota Wesleyan.  She averaged an impressive 8.3 digs per set and did not a commit a single reception error in 14 attempts.  VanRooyan also contributed five set assists in Dakota State’s lone match of the week.

Recap from last week’s action
Jamestown (N.D.), ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA Women’s Volleyball Coaches’ Top 25 national poll, remained undefeated this season.  The Jimmies earned a pair of victory in the Minot State (N.D.) Classic, defeating Brandon (Manitoba) and NCAA Division II Minot State in three straight sets each.  UJ raised their overall record to 8-0 this season.

Mayville State (N.D.) also played in the Minot State Classic, going 4-0 record.  The Comets swept Brandon and a pair of matches against Medicine Hat (Alberta) before wrapping up with a 3-1 victory over Minot State.  MSU improved to 6-4 overall record.

Bellevue (Neb.), ranked No. 8 in the latest national poll, ballooned their winning streak to seven matches.  The Bruins went 3-0 record in the St. Ambrose (Iowa) Tournament, including victories over No. 14 ranked Park (Mo.).  BU also defeated Judson (Ill.) and host-team St. Ambrose in the tournament.  Bellevue lifted their overall record to 11-2.

Valley City State (N.D.), receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, went 2-0 record for the week.  The Vikings earned their first home victory of the season with a 3-1 win over NCAA Division III Concordia (Minn.) on Sept. 10.  VCSU also upset No. 15 ranked Morningside (Iowa) on the road in a five-set thriller.  Valley City State is 8-4 overall record.

Dakota State (S.D.), who also received votes recognition in the national poll, defeated Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in their lone match of the week.  The Trojans are 8-5 overall record this season.

Dickinson State (N.D.) went 1-3 record in the Ottawa (Kan.) tournament.  The Blue Hawks fell to No. 6 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan and No. 25 ranked McPherson (Kan.) in three straight sets on Sept. 13.  DiSU earned a 3-1 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) before falling to William Woods (Mo.) 3-1 on Sept. 14.  Dickinson State stands at 4-8 overall record.

Looking Ahead
No. 8 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) travels to Dordt (Iowa) for a non-conference match on Tuesday evening.

The North Star Athletic Association volleyball season officially begins Wednesday evening as (RV) Valley City State (N.D.) hosts Dickinson State (N.D.).  The Blue Hawks travel to Mayville State (N.D.) on Thursday evening for another NSAA contest, while No. 4 ranked Jamestown (N.D.) visit VCSU on the same day.  UJ heads to MSU on Friday evening.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) visits Bellevue in the conference opener on Friday evening.  Both teams will play Kansas Wesleyan in a non-conference match on Saturday.

            Tuesday’s Match
            (8) Bellevue (Neb.) @ Dordt (Iowa) – 7 p.m.

            Wednesday’s Match
            Dickinson State (N.D.) @ (RV) Valley City State (N.D.) – 7 p.m.

            Thursday’s Matches
            Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.) – 6 p.m.
            (4) Jamestown (N.D.) @ (RV) Valley City State (N.D.) – 7 p.m.

            Friday’s Matches
            (4) Jamestown (N.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.) – 6 p.m.
            (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) @ (8) Bellevue (Neb.) – 6 p.m.

            Saturday’s Matches
            (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) vs. (RV) Kansas Wesleyan – 1 p.m. (in Bellevue, Neb.)
            (RV) Kansas Wesleyan @ (8) Bellevue (Neb.) – 3:30 p.m.

NSAA Volleyball Standings
 

School	Overall Record	NSAA Record	Games Behind	Streak
(4) Jamestown (N.D.)	8-0	0-0	-----	Won 8
(8) Bellevue (Neb.)	11-2	0-0	-----	Won 7
(RV) Valley City State (N.D.)	8-4	0-0	-----	Won 2
(RV) Dakota State (S.D.)	8-5	0-0	-----	Won 1
Mayville State (N.D.)	6-4	0-0	-----	Won 4
Dickinson State (N.D.)	4-8	0-0	----	Lost 1