October 30, 2015
DICKINSON, N.D. – After falling short in the first set Friday evening at Scott Gymnasium in the North Star Athletic Association volleyball contest, Dakota State (S.D.) answered back by winning three straight sets for a 3-1 road victory over Dickinson State (N.D.). With the victory, the Trojans recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 20 years (1994 season with 27-10 overall record and 1995 season with 25-14 overall record).
Dakota State matched their season-high seven-match winning streak, raising their overall record to 20-12. The Trojans had won their fourth straight NSAA conference match to lift their record to 10-2, tied for most conference victories since 2004 with the former Dakota Athletic Conference with a 10-4 record. Dickinson State lost their seventh straight match to dip their overall record to 5-25, 2-8 NSAA.
Both teams hit well above .400 in the opening set, however, the Blue Hawks outhit the Trojans 16-12 to gain a 1-0 match lead after recording a 25-20 victory. DiSU hit .480 in the first set (16 kills with 4 errors in 25 attempts) while DaSU recorded a hitting percentage of .476 (12 kills with 2 errors in 21 attempts).
The Trojans responded back in the second set with a 25-20 win, tying the match at 1-1. Dakota State hit. .225 after smashing 17 kills with 8 errors in 40 attempts. Dickinson State was held to .000 hitting efficiency with 7 kills and committed 7 attack errors in 31 attempts.
DaSU extended their match lead to 2-1 after recording another 25-20 victory in the third set. The Trojans hit an impressive .394 in the set (16 kills with 3 errors in 33 attempts) while the Blue Hawks hit .250 (12 kills with 4 errors in 32 attempts).
Dakota State took advantage of Dickinson State's eight attack errors in the fourth set with a 25-18 victory, sealing the match. The Blue Hawks outhit the Trojans 12-10, but DaSU hit better with a .207 hitting percentage compared to DiSU .125 hitting efficiency.
Three Trojans smashed double figures kills and hit at least .300 in the match. Carly Rozell led the offense with 16 kills and hit .368. Alicia Karst added 13 kills and recorded .300 hitting percentage. Tessa Weeldreyer registered 12 kills and .320 hitting efficiency. Kirstin Johnson, McKenzie Werner and Kylie Martin each had four kills.
Rachel Johnson produced 19 set assists for DaSU. Kaylee Vander Wal added 13 assists. Rozell and Vander Wal each had two service aces.
Chelsey Davis tallied 15 digs and a service ace for Dakota State. Allison Thielsen added six digs.
Weeldreyer recorded three solo blocks and three block assists for the Trojans. Rozell had two solo blocks.
Shelby Gustafson paced the Blue Hawks with 14 kills and .480 hitting percentage. Tessa Sian added 10 kills. Danielle Boyette had a match-high 40 assists.
Brenna Hansen and Maggie Green each had 12 digs for Dickinson State. Shaylee Singleton recorded 10 digs.
Dakota State outhit Dickinson State 54-47 in the match. The Trojans hit .237 with 18 attack errors in 152 attempts compared to the Blue Hawks .199 hitting percentage with 19 errors in 141 attempts.
The Trojans conclude the regular-season schedule on Saturday evening. Dakota State visits Jamestown (N.D.) in the battle of the top three teams in the NSAA conference. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Hansen Center in Jamestown, N.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
