BOX SCORE
MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State University's seniors Stephanie Kruggel and Lauren LaBar combined for 43 kills to help the Trojans to a 3-2 thrilling match victory over in-state rival Dakota Wesleyan Wednesday night at DSU Fieldhouse. DSU extended their season-high winning streak to five matches and moved to .500 for the first time this season.
The Trojans swept the season series with the Tigers where both meetings went to the distance (DSU defeated DWU 3-2 at the Corn Palace earlier this season).
The win moved Dakota State's overall record to 14-14. The Trojans remained nearly perfect at home with a 7-1 record. DWU lost their 17th straight match and dropped their overall record to 7-20.
DSU struggled in the opening set as Dakota Wesleyan grabbed a 1-0 match lead with a 25-19 victory. The Trojans committed 10 attack errors in the first set.
Dakota State raced to a 19-7 lead in the second set and sealed a 25-10 win. The Trojans used a .423 killing efficiency in the second set to even the match at 1-1.
With DWU leading at 10-8, DSU scored eight consecutive points to take a 16-10 lead. The Trojans extended their lead to 20-14, but DWU answered back with a furious rally. The Tigers went on a 6-0 run to tie the third set at 20-20. With DSU leading at 23-22, the Tigers closed the third set by scoring three straight points for a 25-23 victory for a 2-1 match lead.
DSU and DWU battled in the fourth set with 19 ties. With the fourth set tied at 21-21, the Trojans forced the fifth and deciding set by scoring four straight points (25-21) - two kills from DSU's Caitlin Pick and LaBar, ending with two consecutive errors by DWU.
The fifth set was an encore as the fourth set as it was tied 12 times. At 16-16, DSU's Kristen DiPaola smashed two straight kills to seal the match victory.
Kruggel led the Trojans with a double-double of 23 kills and 23 digs. She recorded a .392 killing percentage. LaBar added 20 kills and two service aces. Pick had 11 kills and DiPaola added 10 kills. Stacey Schuller contributed a season-high 59 set assists.
DiPaola added 17 digs for DSU. Katie Green had 12 digs.
For DWU, Danielle Bird and Rachel Tinklenberg each had 17 kills. Sam Sandau added 11 kills. Briana Jung had 26 assists. TyAnn Buddenhagen added 19 assists.
Jung led the Tiger's defense with 14 digs. Buddenhagen and Kayla O'Connell each had 11 digs. Brooke Warne had 10 digs. Kacie Sanderson had a solo block and five block assists.
DWU had 12 blocks compared to the Trojans' six in the match.
Dakota State outhit the Tigers 66-56. The Trojans recorded a .217 hitting efficiency while the Tigers had a .141 killing percentage.
DSU looks to extend their winning streak on Friday night. The Trojans continue their four-match home stand as they host Midland University at DSU Fieldhouse. The junior varsity match starts at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 7:30 p.m. Seniors will be recognized prior to the varsity match.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
