WATERTOWN, S.D. -- Led by sophomore middle blocker Jacki Apel and senior outside hitter Sierra Athen, the second-seeded Bellevue University volleyball team swept No. 6-seed Presentation College, 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-21) Friday night in the semifinals of the North Star Athletic Association Tournament at the Watertown Civic Arena.
With the win, the Bruins advanced to Saturday's championship match at 2 p.m. against the winner of No. 1 Viterbo University vs. No. 4 Mayville State University. Saturday's winner will receive an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament.
The 14th-ranked Bruins improved to 26-6 on the season. Presentation ended its season at 10-22.
Apel finished with 12 kills on .600 hitting, along with two digs and a block. Athen registered 10 kills, eight digs, and a service ace.
Nicole Meyer hit .375 with seven kills, along with three blocks.
Olivia Galas directed the Bruins to a .290 hitting percentage, recording 39 assists, five digs, and five kills on .400 hitting.
Allie Kerns led the BU defense with a match-high 16 digs. She also added eight kills and a service ace.
Raeanne Kimoto finished with 11 digs as BU held the Saints to a .131 attacking efficiency.
Makynna Snow paced the Saints with seven kills and a pair of blocks. Grace Tobin and Maggie Heesch each chipped in with six kills apiece.
Laura Babcock led the PC defense with 13 digs.
The Bruins were consistent throughout the match, hitting .286, .240, and .297 in the first, second, and third sets, respectively.
This marks the third-straight season that Bellevue has advanced to the championship match of the NSAA Tournament.
