Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Match 1 Box Score | Match 2 Box Score

HELENA, Mont.– The Minot State University volleyball team played their first two matches of the 2013 season Friday at the Carroll College Invitational.

The Beavers fell twice, both two NAIA schools that had already played double-digit matches in their own seasons. Montana Tech beat MISU in four sets while Carroll College defeated the Beavers in straight sets.

"It wasn't the way I envisioned our season beginning," said Minot State head coach Travis Ward. "We were spotty the whole day. At times we played great and at times we couldn't find a rhythm. It's not an ideal situation playing your first games of the season against teams in mid-season form, but I think that will make us better in the end."

In the first match of the season, a tough first set 27-29 loss put the Beavers down 1-0 as they couldn't recover losing in four sets to Montana Tech. On the stat sheet Minot State outperformed the Orediggers in most categories having a .239 hitting percentage for the match, compared to a .191 average for Montana Tech. However, the Beavers committed more errors (24) than the Orediggers (16), proving to be costly in the outcome.

Jen Dixon (Jr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) led the offensive strike for MISU, totaling 15 kills in just 21 attacks. It was Dixon's first match since the 2011 season as she received a medical redshirt last year with a foot injury. Sara Friesen (Sr., MH, Brandon, Manitoba), who also has not played for MISU since 2011, notched 10 kills in 22 attacks.

"Jen had a great first match," said Ward. "It was good to see her out there making plays for us, but it's not about how individuals play. We need to work better as a team. When we did that today, we had a lot of success."

The Orediggers (9-3 overall) were paced by Jordan Danz and Korey Krumm, with nine and eight kills, respectively. As a team, Montana Tech served up 10 aces throughout the match.

In the second match of the day, Minot State looked to rebound against host Carroll College. Unfortunately, the Beavers were swept in straight sets, 25-16 25-17 25-17, bringing their overall record to 0-2 on the young season.

MISU hit just .047 while the Saints hit .391 from the floor led by Kathleen Mulligan with ten kills and a .588 percentage. The Beavers made 19 hitting errors to just 24 kills. Setter Emily Byrne (Jr., Reno, Nev.) dished out 21 assists against Carroll after she made 43 assists in the first match.

"We have the right group of kids here," Ward said. "This is a group I am proud to coach and I am proud of the way they reacted today. It's going to be a fun year and I am excited to see where it takes us."

The Beavers will travel to Great Falls, Mont. to play two more matches on the weekend. MISU will face Montana State-Northern at 1 p.m. CST and the University of Great Falls at 5 p.m. CST.