BOX SCORE
MADISON, S.D. - Midland University, member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, came to the DSU Fieldhouse Friday night. The Warriors ended Trojans' season-high five-match winning streak as Midland won in a five-set thriller (32-30, 23-25, 25-16, 23-25 and 15-12). It was the second straight home match for DSU that was decided in the fifth set.
Dakota State dropped their overall record to 14-15. DSU suffered their second home loss this season. Midland improved their record to 16-9.
It was the seventh time this season Dakota State went to five sets. The Trojans completed their 2011 schedule with a 5-5 record versus members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
Dakota State went on to lead at 20-14 in the opening set before Midland answered back. The Warriors scored six straight points to tie the first set at 20-20. The Trojans and Warriors battled for nine times. At 30-30, DSU suffered two straight attack errors to give Midland a 1-0 match lead.
The Trojans opened the first set with three consecutive kills from Lauren LaBar. The Warriors responded back to tie at 3-3. With DSU leading at 22-18, the Warriors used a 4-0 scoring run to tie the second set at 22-22. Midland recorded two straight attack errors as the Trojans scored the final two points to seal the second set, and even the match at 1-1.
DSU was limited to a -0.061 hitting percentage in the third set as the Warriors nailed down the third set to regain a 2-1 match lead.
Midland and DSU tied the fourth set 10 times in the early going. At 15-15, Kristen DiPaola smashed three straight kills to give DSU an 18-15 lead. The Warriors answered back with four straight points to grab a 19-18 lead, but the Trojans tied it at 19-19. At 23-23, DSU forced the fifth and deciding set by Midland's service error and a kill from DiPaola. A total of 15 ties occurred in the fourth set.
With Midland leading at 6-5 in the fifth set, the Warriors scored four straight points to gain a 10-5 lead. The Trojans came no closer than two points (14-12) before the Warriors sealed the victory by DSU's attack error.
DSU was limited to below .100 hitting percentage in three sets lost. The Trojans recorded .278 in the second set and .216 in the fourth set (.118 overall hitting percentage). Midland held steady through the match with a hitting percentage of .128. The Warriors outhit the Trojans 63-54.
DiPaola led Trojans' offense attack with 23 kills. Stephanie Kruggel added 19 kills. LaBar had nine kills. Stacey Schuller contributed 45 set assists.
Four Midland players recorded in double digits kills. Ashley Wheeler had 17 kills. Halie Wewel and Keri Lunz each had 14 kills. Mackenzie Scheef added 10 kills. Megan Farley had 52 assists.
Both teams combined for 221 digs in the match - 119 by Midland and 112 by DSU. DiPaola had 24 digs for the Trojans. Kruggel added 23 digs and Katie Green had 20 digs. Schuller recorded 12 digs and Stephanie Uher had 10 digs. For Midland, Becca Gradoville had 26 digs. Farley added 19 digs. Scheef recorded 17 digs and Kelsey Engelbart had 11 digs.
Midland and DSU each suffered 12 service errors in the match.
Dakota State looks to bounce back in the winning column on Saturday. The Trojans host a triangular with the first match versus Oklahoma Wesleyan at 10 a.m. Mayville State will play Oklahoma Wesleyan at 12 p.m. DSU will play their final home regular season match versus Mayville State at 2 p.m. All matches will be at DSU Fieldhouse.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
