RAPID CITY, S.D. – If Minot State University volleyball is to host a first round Dakota Athletic Conference match in the playoffs, Friday's win over South Dakota Mines could go a long way.

The Beavers and Hardrockers battled for the first three games, but MSU put the Mines away in Game 4, taking a 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17) road win at the King Center.

“It was great for us to come in and not necessarily play our best and get a win,” said MSU head coach Johnna Torr.

The Beavers mixed things up in game 3 – even coming off a solid win in game 2 – and it worked to a charm. MSU's Sara Friesen (RFr., MH, Brandon, Manitoba) came off the bench to play a pivotal role down the stretch. She finished with four kills and a block in the two games played.

“Sara had a hard time with the broken hand and we are working her back in,” Torr said. “We needed a block after the first two games and she helped provide that out there.”

Blocks were also key for MSU has it hammered the Hardrockers in game 3 at the net late in the game. The Beavers pushed a 20-18 lead to 24-19 behind two blocks by Annie Assel (Fr., MH, Bismarck, N.D.) and one by Jennifer Yausie (So., OH, Colonsay, Saskatchewan).

Eighteen seemed to the be the magic number early on as both MSU (6-4 DAC, 8-17 overall) and Mines got stuck on at 18 in game 1 and 2 respectively. MSU held the lead in game 1 for nearly every stage until Mines went on a late run to take the win. The Beavers turned the table, going on a late run in game 2 for the win.

“It is very tough (to rally late in the match). It's isn't so bad if it is 12 or 13 because there is time to get some momentum back,” Torr said. “We felt like we had a little bit of momentum heading into the break (between games 1 and 2) but never felt in control. We played (Mines') game throughout the match and had to remind ourselves how to play our offensive game.

“We started to do that in game 4.”

Mines (3-7, 10-13) again got stuck on 18 in game 3 before the Beavers block party took over. In game 4, MSU was able to get over the mental block with a Friesen kill to make it 19-14.

Friesen has been limited due to a hand injury, getting her most extensive minutes since early in the season.

The Hardrockers got 10 kills from Madisen Lane and 22 assists from Becky Keilholtz in the loss. Lane also finished with 13 digs along with Shea Thorson.

Yausie had a match-high 13 kills for MSU. Shari Dueck (Sr., RS, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) and Jen Dixon (Fr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) finished with 10 kills each. Abbey Aide (So., Setter, Bottineau, N.D.) poured in 48 assists and Dixon paced the defense with 23 digs.

The Beavers continue their road trip with a match at Black Hills State Saturday night.