The Lake Mills volleyball team swept three matches Saturday en enroute the North Iowa Conference semifinals in Forest City, Iowa.

The Bulldogs (32-1) beat Belmond-Klemme, Garner-Hayfield and West Hancock in pool play and will play Osage at 6 p.m. tonight in the semifinals looking for its eighth NIC tournament title in nine years. Forest City, who finished second in the conference’s regular season, plays West Hancock.

“We started strong,” Bulldogs coach Jim Boehmer said of the tournament. “After a long week and a tough night Tuesday it was nice to start well today.”

Boehmer said left-side hitter Shelby Kuper had a great day. The senior notched 22 kills over three two-set matches, including nine against Garner-Hayfield.

The Bulldogs beat Belmond-Klemme 21-8 and 21-8 to open the tournament behind seven kills by Josie Brackey. Carlie Christianson, Kuper and Catherine Adams each had two service aces.

In Game 2, the Bulldogs topped Garner-Hayfield 21-7 and 21-13. Morgan Fjelstad had 18 set assists and a team-high three service aces, and Kuper had nine kills in 12 attempts.

In the final match, Lake Mills beat West Hancock 21-11 and 21-8. Kuper notched a team-high eight kills, and Josie Brackey had seven kills to go along with four service aces, six digs and an ace block.

The No. 2-ranked Bulldogs are now 72-1 in sets this season.

Game 1: Lake Mills def. Belmond-Klemme 21-8, 21-8

Game 2: Lake Mills def. Garner-Hayfield 21-7, 21-13

Game 3: Lake Mills def. West Hancock 21-11, 21-8