September 26, 2015

La CROSSE, Wis. – Dakota State (S.D.) visited another newcomer to the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Saturday afternoon, visiting the nationally-ranked No. 2 Viterbo (Wis.) at R.W. Beggs Senior Gymnasium.  The V-Hawks, who advanced to last year's NAIA 'Final Four', halted Trojans' seven-match winning streak with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-17 and 25-10).

Dakota State suffered its first NSAA conference loss of the season, dipping their overall record to 11-10 and 4-1 NSAA (1-1 NSAA South Division record).  Viterbo won their 16th straight match and remained undefeated in conference action with a 3-0 record (3-0 NSAA South Division record).

At 8-8 in the opening set, the V-Hawks used a 9-2 run to grab a 17-10 lead.  Viterbo outhit the Trojans 19-6 to earn a 1-0 match lead after a 25-16 first set victory.

The V-Hawks raced to a 7-1 lead in the second set and cruised to a 25-17 win, extending their match lead to 2-0. 

DSU was held to minus .107 hitting percentage in the third set as Viterbo secured the match with a 25-10 win. 

Carly Rozell led the Trojans' offense with five kills.  Kirstin Johnson added four kills.  Rachel Johnson collected eight assists, while Kaylee Vander Wal had four assists. 

Allison Thielsen registered eight digs for Dakota State.  Chelsey Davis and Rozell each have five digs.

Tessa Weeldreyer recorded five block assists for DSU.  Alicia Karst added four block assists.  Weeldreyer and Davis each had a service ace.

Natalie Geidel recorded a hitting percentage of .706, smashing 13 kills with 1 error in 17 attempts for the V-Hawks.  Siera Skow added 10 kills.  Amelia Grahn produced 35 assists.  Jennifer Krentz led Viterbo with 21 digs and four service aces.

The V-Hawks outhit the Trojans 47-15 in the match.  VU hit .248 (47 kills with 22 errors in 101 attempts) compared to DSU minus .012 (15 kills with 16 errors in 86 attempts).

The Trojans recorded 10 blocks (1 solo block and 18 block assists) while the V-Hawks had 3 blocks (1 solo block and 4 block assists).

VU won the junior varsity contest over DSU by the scores of 25-19, 19-25 and 25-19.

Dakota State returns home Wednesday evening to kick off their season-high eight-match home stand.  The Trojans host Grace (Neb.) in a non-conference action at DSU Fieldhouse, starting with a junior varsity match at 5:30 p.m. and varsity match to follow at 7 p.m.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director