Box Score BEMIDJI, Minn.— Behind a strong offensive performance by sophomore Averey Yaksich, the University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team (10-6, 5-3 NSIC) defeated Bemidji State (5-11, 2-6), 3-1 (25-16, 25-16, 24-26, 25-17) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road action on Friday night. With the win USF has won two straight  and four of the past five matches. The hot streak has propelled USF into a tie with three others teams for fifth in the league standings.

Yaksich led USF with a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs. She posted her 15 kills on 38 attempts for a hitting percentage of .263. Bria Barfnecht continued her strong senior campaign by adding 13 kills on 23 attempts for a hitting percentage of .522. Senior Lexi Scott tallied an efficient .462 hitting percentage with eight kills on 13 attempts. Sophomore setter Krista Goerger accumulated 37 assists during Friday's match.

The Cougars started out the first set fast, gaining a 9-2 lead behind two kills by Barfnecht and fellow senior Makenna Rockeman. USF gained a 16-7 lead mid-way through the set. The Cougars held the nine point advantage through the rest of the set  to win, 25-16 while posting a team hitting percentage of .462.

The second set started the way the first set ended with the Cougars jumpingto an 11-6 lead with a key three-point swing in favor of USF, highlighted by a kill by Yaksich. The Co[1]ugars would go up 22-12, then finIshmael off the set at 25-16 behind a final kill by Rockeman. The Cougars held the Beavers to a .074 set hitting percentage while posting a .400 mark themselves.

The third set was back-and-forth until the Beavers scored six straight points to take an early 12-8 lead. USF struggled to find momentum until late in the set when they went on a six-point run of their own behind two big kills by Yaksich to take a 22-21 lead. Bemidji would win five of the last seven points to take the third set, 26-24. The Cougars posted a match low .161 hitting percentage.

The Cougars found their offense once again early in the fourth gaining a 7-2 lead following a Barfnecht kill which forced the Beavers to call a timeout. After a kill by Yaksich, the Cougars gained a late 19-12 lead. USF won three of the last four points, and Barfnecht finished off the match with a final kill. The Cougars hit for .209 during the set.

Overall, USF held Bemidji to a .102 hitting percentage, while posting a .292 match hitting percentage themselves.

USF Volleyball will turn around and face Minnesota Crookston (3-13, 1-7 NSIC) Saturday, Sept. 29 for a 4 p.m. match.