ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Black Hills State University volleyball team fell in the opening RMAC match of the season, 3-0, to Dixie State University on Friday evening.

The Trailblazers (6-3, 1-0 RMAC) jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first set, and eventually led, 14-8. However, the Yellow Jackets (2-7, 0-1 RMAC) clawed back to get within one, 16-15, causing Dixie State to take a time out. Out of the timeout, the score became 18-17 in favor of DSU off a Madee Hoopman kill. The home team would take back the momentum and finish off the set with seven consecutive points.

DSU kept its foot on the pedal in the second set, once again jumping out to a quick lead, this time, 6-1. The Trailblazers would not let up, taking the second set, 25-14, and going up 2-1 in the match.

The third set started out back-and-forth, with BHSU taking an early 4-2 lead. After Dixie State retook the edge, 6-4, the Yellow Jackets tied it up again, 6-6. However, the Trailblazers gradually increased their lead, eventually taking the set, 25-15, and the match, 3-0.

Hoopman finished the match with seven kills to lead the Green and Gold. Laurel Lech led the squad with 13 digs and eight assists while also adding three kills and a block. Haedyn Rhoades tallied 12 digs, while Tess Thomas had seven assists.

Next Up

The Yellow Jackets will look to get back on track at Westminster on September 21. The game in Salt Lake City is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

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Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.

---BHSUAthletics.com---