VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Minot State University got 52 assists from Abbey Aide (So., Setter, Bottineau, N.D.) and had to grind out two close games to take a 3-1 win over Valley City State in Dakota Athletic Conference here Friday.

MSU won its first DAC match in as many tries by getting a 25-14, 25-17, 26-28, 27-25 win.

“We passed really well in games 1 and 2 and placed the ball well offensively,” said MSU head coach Johnna Lewis. “Games 3 and 4 we lost a little focus, but overall I am very pleased.”

MSU had 20 more kills than Valley City State and seven fewer hitting errors in the four-set win. Leading the offense for the Beavers was Jen Dixon (Fr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) who had a career-high 21 kills. Dixon had 45 attacks, 11 digs and two blocks in the match for MSU.

But the offense wasn't just one sided as Shari Dueck (Sr., RS, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan), Sara Friesen (R-Fr., MH, Brandon, Manitoba) and Janice-Rose Reinbolt (Jr., MH, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) all got to double figures in kills Dueck ended with 11 kills and added a team-high 17 digs. Friesen finished with 10 kills and three block assists. The due had just two combined errors. Reinbolt added 10 kills, two blocks and three block assists for MSU.

Aide was solid in the setting game for MSU all night. She added 15 digs, a kill and a block to her 52 assists.

The Vikings (0-1 DAC, 5-13 overall) got 10 kills each from Rebekah DePesa and Sabrina Heywood in the loss.

The Beavers (1-0, 3-13) surpassed their road DAC win total from a year ago on the first night out. MSU looks to add to that total Saturday as they travel to Jamestown College for a 7 p.m. match.