MADISON, S.D. -- The 13th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team closed out the regular season with a tough 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 26-24) loss at Dakota State University Friday night at the DSU Memorial Fieldhouse.
With the loss, the Bruins fell to 25-7 on the season and 10-4 in the NSAA. Dakota State improved to 18-11 overall and 10-4 in league play.
Sierra Athen led the Bruins with 12 kills and eight digs. Andrea Carson pocketed 11 kills in the loss.
Olivia Galas recorded 38 assists, eight digs, and three kills.
Defensively, the Bruins were anchored by Madi Evans (20) and Sidney Craig (14) who combined for 34 digs.
Barbara Briceno led four DSU players in double figures, finishing with 19 kills while adding 19 digs. Hanna Jellema collected 11 kills and three digs. Maddie Polzin finished with 11 kills, eight digs, and two blocks. Kelsey Pearson registered 10 kills and five blocks.
Samantha Zell led all players with seven blocks as the Trojans held a 13-6 edge in total team blocks.
The Bruins, who finished in a tie for second with Dakota State in the final NSAA regular-season standings, earned the No. 3 seed in the NSAA Post-Season Tournament. BU will take on No. 6 seed Waldorf University at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 at the Watertown Civic Arena in Watertown, S.D.