October 7, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. – The Dakota State University volleyball team cruised to a 2-0 match lead Tuesday evening over Grace (Neb.) at Jim Classen Gymnasium.  The Trojans held on to a 3-1 victory over the Royals, winning all three meetings this season versus Grace.

Dakota State lifted their overall record to 15-9, most victories since 2011 with 16.  Grace dropped to 8-12 overall record.

The Trojans cruised in the first two sets by the scores of 25-15 and 25-9.

Grace won the third set 26-24 to extend the match with DSU leading 2-1.

Dakota State closed the match with a 25-22 fourth set victory.

Tessa Weeldreyer smashed 14 kills for the Trojans.  Caitlin Pick added eight kills.  Carly Rozell earned seven kills. 

Stacey Westby produced a double-double of 18 set assists and 10 digs for Dakota State.  Kaylee Vander Wal also added a double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs.

Chelsey Davis led DSU's defense with 27 digs.  Allison Thielsen and Katherine Gonzalez each added 18 digs.

Westby, Gonzalez and Vander Wal each had a service ace for the Trojans.

Weeldreyer collected a total of eight block assists (4 total blocks) for DSU.  Pick added three blocks (2 solo blocks and two block assists).  Rozell had two blocks (4 block assists).

Meghan Ward led the Royals' offense with 18 kills.  Aaliyah Dunbar added 10 kills.  Chelsea Entz recorded eight kills.  Adree Munoz earned a double-double of 38 assists and 20 digs.

Chloe Corbett tallied 28 digs for Grace.  Entz had 18 digs.  Ariana Zuccaro added 15 digs.

Munoz had two service aces for the Royals.  Ward, Entz and Bethany LaDue each recorded a service ace.

Dakota State outhit Grace 50-45 in the match.  The Trojans hit .205 (15 errors in 171 attempts) compared to the Royals' .070 (32 errors in 187 attempts).

DSU set a new season high in team digs with 103.  Grace had 94 digs.

The Trojans registered a total of 13 team blocks in the match (3 solo blocks and 20 block assists).  Grace recorded four blocks (3 solo blocks and 2 block assists).

DSU's junior varsity team swept in two straight sets over the Royals. 

Dakota State returns home Friday evening as they continue their non-conference action.  The Trojans host Briar Cliff (Iowa) in the annual 'Dig Pink' match.  There will be a junior varsity match at 6 p.m., followed by a varsity match at 7:30 p.m.  Both matches will be held at DSU Fieldhouse.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director