VALLEY CITY, N.D.  – Minot State University moved back to within striking distance of evening its record on the season as the Beavers swept Valley City State on the road in nonconference NCAA Division II women's volleyball here Wednesday.

The 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) win puts the Beavers to within one game of .500 at 8-9 overall with old rival Dickinson State coming to Minot Saturday.

MSU head coach Travis Ward was not only pleased with another shot at .500, but especially happy to sweep a good VCSU team on the road.

“It is one thing to beat a team at home, it's another to win on the road,” he said, “especially when it is a good team like Valley City State. It will be nice to have a chance to climb back to .500 against Dickinson. We have been fighting to get back all season since that early four-game losing streak.”

For the second straight match, MSU was involved in a sweep and for the second straight time, the match was closer than the score indicated.

“We didn't blow them away by any means. Valley is a good team. We felt we pushed UND (Monday) as well,” Ward said. “I thought our outsides played well and did a good job. We had some kids playing tonight that haven't gotten a lot of time.”

Two of those were Krysta Wickenhauser (Jr., MH, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) and Chauncee Axelson (So., S, Williston, N.D.). Both had solid night as Axelson finished with two service aces.

“It's a credit to the kids buying into the system,” Ward said. “We had some new players in key positions for us and they both did a great job.”

Emily Bryne (Fr., S, Reno, Nev.) continued to be a steady setter as she finished with 33 assists for the Beavers. Sara Friesen (So., MH, Brandon, Manitoba) has come on strong lately and had a solid match, earning eight kills, while hitting at a .538 percentage. Jen Dixon (So., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) paced the Beavers offense with 14 kills and Kelsey Wingo (Jr., MH, Twain Harte, Calif.) finished with four service aces.

MSU plays Dickinson State Saturday at 6 p.m. at the MSU Dome.