October 16, 2015

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS - Coming Soon

Photo credits by Kaden Huntrods

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) hit .245 Friday evening to roll past Valley City State (N.D.) to a three-set sweep in the North Star Athletic Association volleyball contest at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans posted scores of 25-15, 25-21 and 25-21 in the annual 'Dig Pink' night, handing the Vikings their 10th straight lost.

Dakota State recorded their 11th win in the last 14 matches to raise their overall record to 15-12 and 7-2 in NSAA conference.  Valley City State fell to 7-16 overall record and 2-7 NSAA record.

The Trojans opened up with an 11-4 lead in the first set and extended to the largest lead at 24-14.  DSU used a hitting efficiency of .226 (11 kills with 4 errors in 31 attempts) to cruise for a 25-15 lead for a 1-0 match lead.  The Vikings were held to negative .031 after smashing eight kills, but committed nine attack errors in 32 attempts.

Valley City State used a fast start in the second set with a 6-2 lead, but the Trojans answered back with a 9-5 run to tie at 11-11.  DSU and VCSU tied the second set 15 times and exchanged leads five times before the Trojans used a strong finish for a 2-0 match lead.  At 17-17, Dakota State went on to score three straight points for a 20-17 lead and extended their lead to 24-18 lead.  The Vikings went on a 3-0 run but the Trojans secured the second set after Tessa Weeldreyer smashed a kill for a 25-21 victory.

DSU hit .268 in the second set by registering 14 kills with 3 errors in 41 attempts compared to VCSU .154 hitting percentage (10 kills with 4 errors in 39 attempts).

At 9-9 in the third set, Dakota State stormed with an 11-2 scoring run for a 20-11 lead.  Valley City State used a 10-4 scoring run to cut DSU's lead at 24-21 before Weeldreyer smashed a kill to secure the match for the Trojans.

Weeldreyer tallied 13 kills and hit. 370 in the match for Dakota State.  Carly Rozell added nine kills and recorded a hitting percentage of .300.  Kirstin Johnson hit an impressive .462 (7 kills with 1 error in 13 attempts).  Alicia Karst had seven kills. 

Kaylee Vander Wal produced 23 set assists and two service aces for the Trojans.  Rachel Johnson added 11 assists.

Chelsey Davis led DSU's defense with 14 digs.  Rozell added nine digs.  Allison Thielsen collected eight digs.

Kirstin Johnson and Kylie Martin each had two block assists.

Jodi Wilde and Kanani Auwae each had seven kills for Valley City State.  Clarissa Olson added five kills.

Stephanie Miller had a double-double of 25 assists and 10 digs for the Vikings.  She also had two service aces.

Jaycee George recorded 17 digs for VCSU.  Olson and Auwae each had two block assists.

DSU outhit VCSU 39-29 in the match.  The Vikings were held to .104 hitting percentage (29 kills with 18 errors in 106 attempts).  The Trojans committed 12 attack errors in 110 attempts.

Dakota State was .932 from the serving line with 4 service aces and 5 service errors in 74 attempts.  Valley City State committed nine service errors in 58 attempts and recorded three aces for a percentage of .845.

VCSU recorded four blocks compared to DSU two blocks.

Dakota State, who is 4-2 on the current eight-match home stand, continues their NSAA conference action Saturday evening versus Mayville State (N.D.).  The junior varsity match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity to follow at 7 p.m.  The DSU Volleyball team will be recognizing their parents prior to the varsity match.

Valley City State heads to Aberdeen, S.D. for the NSAA conference contest at Presentation (S.D.).  First serve is set for 6 p.m. at Strode Center.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

DSU Volleyball Assistant Coach Megan Kusler - Honorary First Serve for Dig Pink Night