October 10, 2014
Photos credits by Kaden Huntrods
MADISON, S.D. – Briar Cliff (Iowa) smashed 51 kills compared to Dakota State (S.D.) 33 kills for a 3-0 non-conference volleyball victory at DSU Fieldhouse in the annual 'Dig Pink' night. The Chargers hit .352 in the match, while the Trojans recorded a hitting efficiency of .235.
Dakota State fell to 15-10 overall record. Briar Cliff, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Volleyball Coaches 'Top 25' national poll, raised to 16-5. BCU had won the last seven meetings with the Trojans.
The Chargers raced to a 4-0 opening lead. BCU never looked back as they earned a 1-0 match lead with a 25-15 set one victory. Briar Cliff hit .323 (14 kills with 4 errors in 31 attempts) in the first set compared to the Trojans .158 (10 kills with 4 errors in 38 attempts).
Tied at 15-15, BCU closed with a 10-2 scoring run (including scoring the final seven points of the second set) to extend their match lead to 2-0 after a 25-17 win. The Chargers outhit the Trojans 19-10 in the second set.
Briar Cliff used another strong closing finish in the third set after recording 25 ties. At 18-18, the Chargers closed the match with a 7-4 fun to gain a 25-21 victory, sealing the victory in three straight sets.
Both teams hit above .300 in the third set with BCU hitting .378 (18 kills with 4 errors in 37 attempts) while DSU hit .344 (13 kills with 2 errors in 32 attempts).
Carly Rozell led the Trojans' offense attack with 11 kills in 21 attempts. She hit a season-high .524 in the match. Taylor Stratton and Tessa Weeldreyer each added six kills. Caitlin Pick earned five kills.
Stacey Westby produced 17 set assists for Dakota State. Kaylee Vander Wal added 12 assists.
Katherine Gonzalez collected 12 digs for the Trojans. Chelsey Davis had five digs.
Weeldreyer and Kylie Martin each earned two block assists (1 total block) for DSU.
Katelin Langel recorded 12 kills and hit .500 for the Chargers. Julia Ecklund and Rachele Harrill each had nine kills. Ruthie Schmitt tallied 26 assists. Abby Blanchard added 17 assists.
Amy Frank had 12 digs for Briar Cliff. Schmitt added 10 digs.
Frank, Harrill and Katie Berg each had two service aces for the Chargers. Ecklund, Breanna Nogelmeier and Jenna Berg had two block assists.
Briar Cliff had seven service aces in the match compared to Dakota State two service aces. The Trojans committed five service errors and a service percentage of .909, while the Chargers had two service errors and a service percentage of .973.
BCU recorded eight block assists (4 total blocks) compared to DSU's four block assists (2 total blocks).
Briar Cliff won the junior varsity match over the Trojans in two straight sets – 29-27 and 25-22.
Dakota State returns back to North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) volleyball conference action on Wednesday. The Trojans kick off their second-half portion of the NSAA schedule, visiting Presentation (S.D.). There will be a junior varsity match at 5 p.m., followed by a varsity match at 7 p.m. Both matches will be held at Strode Center in Aberdeen, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
