SPEARFISH - Black Hills State University evened its record at 5-5 on the season, keeping NCAA Division II Chadron State (0-5) winless in the process in a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 win in women's volleyball action Wednesday night at the Don Young Center.

The size and experience of junior hitters Kristen Engle and Maggie O'Neill proved more than the very young but scrappy Chadron State team and its all-freshman lineup was capable of handling. Each time the Eagles showed signs of taking control of the contest, a big block by Engle - who finished with eight on the night, with five of them coming in tandem with younger sister Kalin - or a booming spike by O'Neill from her strong side hitter position quickly swung momentum back to the Yellow Jacket side of the net.

"We work a lot on blocking," Kristen Engle said. "And my sister and I work a lot on our timing together in practice, and we were working really well together tonight which makes it a lot of fun."

BHSU head coach Jhett Albers pointed out the importance of blocking to his team's success and the role Kristin Engle plays in making that happen.

"Blocking is clearly one of our strengths," he said. "Kristen is one of the top blockers in the nation, finished second in the nation last year, so she is definitely a force for us. When Kristin and Kalin work together like they did tonight, we can be a good team."

O'Neill closed out the first game with a couple of spikes, the first cross-court and then two more down the line to end the game 25-16. O'Neill led the Yellow Jackets on the night with 14 kills, while Kristin Engle chipped in with nine.

The final two games played out almost identically. Each time Chadron State seemed poised to narrow the margin, BHSU regained command with dominant net play and protected its ever-present four- or five-point margin.

Mandy Brumfield led the Yellow Jackets in assists on the night with 28. O'Neill led her the Yellow Jackets in digs with 12 while Carina Sweet chipped in with 11.

Black Hills State travels to Yankton this weekend to participate in the DWU/MTMC Tiger Tournament at Mount Marty College, opening with two games on Friday.