Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University never got going.

Part of that was as solid Bemidji State attack and part of it was consistent errors that plagued MISU much of the night.

The result was as 3-0 sweep by Bemidji State in Minot State's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener Friday at the MSU Dome. BSU earned a 25-17, 25-19 25-20 win.

“You have to be offensive enough in this conference,” said MISU head coach Travis Ward. “We need to give ourselves a chance to have our middles and outsides swing. We need be able to receive much better to get those chances.”

The MISU Beavers (3-7 overall, 0-1 NSIC) looked a step slow coming out of the gates in set 1 and fell behind early. Set 2 was much of the same before Minot State started stronger in set 3. In all, however, MISU finished with 20 errors and just 23 kills, hitting a paltry .034.  

“We have a good game plan against Crookston for tomorrow's game. Regardless, we need to take care of business on our side of the court to beat any team. We need to pass better than what we did tonight to accomplish our team goals.”

BSU (3-5, 1-0) hit at a much higher pace, finishing with a .226 hitting percentage in the match. Bethany Thompson had a match-high 15 kills as the Minnesota Beavers had a 40-23 kills advantage. Thompson was the only player in double figure kills. Courtney Volkman added 30 assists, while Elissa Christensen finished with 13 digs.

Minot State's Shari Hewson (Sr., MH, New England, N.D.) and Jasmin Pappa (Fr., OH, Stanley, N.D.) finished with six kills apiece to lead Minot State. Emily Byrne (So., S, Reno, Nev.) finished with 17 assists and added seven digs, while Mallory Sall (Fr., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) led the Beavers with nine digs.

MISU is back at home Saturday night for another NSIC contest as the Beavers play host to Minnesota Crookston to cap off a busy Homecoming 2012 day beginning at 7 p.m.