September 16, 2016

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) continued their North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference play Friday evening at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse, visiting Mayville State (N.D.).  The Comets won in four tight sets – all sets were decided by two points – despite with the Trojans setting season-highs in kills, digs and assists.  MSU won by the scores of 26-24, 27-25, 23-25 and 26-24.

Dakota State fell to 2-11 overall record and 0-2 NSAA conference.  Mayville State improved to 6-8 overall record and opened their conference schedule with a victory.

Tied 12-12 in the opening set, the Comets went on a 10-4 scoring tear to grab a 22-16 lead.  The Trojans answered back with a 7-1 scoring run to cut MSU's lead to 23-21.  Trailing 24-21, DSU saved three MSU's set points after a pair of kills by Carly Rozell and Tessa Weeldreyer to knot the first set at 24-24.

Joely Christianson recorded a kill for MSU's 25-24 lead and an attack error by the Trojans gave MSU a 1-0 match lead after 26-24 set victory.  The Trojans outhit the Comets 19-14 in the opening set.

Down 16-12 in the second set, Dakota State roared back with an 11-2 scoring surge to grab a 21-18 lead.  With DSU leading at 23-19, the Comets answered back with a 6-1 run to overtake a 25-24 lead. 

DSU's Kirstin Johnson smashed a kill to tie the second set at 25-25.  The Comets scored the last two points of the second set to earn a 2-0 match lead after another nail-biter at 27-25.  Dakota State had 15 kills, but committed 9 attack errors in 48 attempts compared to MSU 10 kills with 5 errors in 44 attempts.

Mayville State opened up with an 18-15 lead after a see-saw battle in the early going.  The Trojans went on to score seven straight points to overtake a 22-18 lead.  MSU would come back to trim DSU's to one point on two different occasions at 22-21 and 24-23.  Clarissa Blick smashed a kill to give DSU a 25-23 set three victory, extending the match into the fourth set.

The Comets used a 9-2 scoring run to regain their lead at 20-14 after the Trojans were up at 12-11.  With MSU leading at 24-20, DSU saved four match points to tie the game at 24-24.  Mayville State secure the match by scoring the final two points of the fourth set for 26-24 victory.

Five different Trojan players recorded double-digit kills.  Taylor Stratton, Weeldreyer and Blick each smashed 13 kills.  Rozell added 12 kills.  Johnson had 10 kills.

Kaylee Vander Wal posted a double-double of 39 assists (career-high) and 13 digs for Dakota State.  Blick also had a double-double where she collected 20 digs.  She recorded four service aces in the match.  McKenna DeMoe had 17 assists.

Chelsey Davis led DSU's defense with 28 digs.  Hannah Bauer added 20 digs.  Rozell and Weeldreyer each had two block assists.

Stephany Wold led the Comets with 19 kills and hit .563 in the match.  Hannah Bliss added 12 kills.  Christianson had 10 kills. 

Megan Kolness produced 39 assists for MSU. 

TaLise Hansen registered 27 digs for Mayville State.  Jayden Warner had 20 digs.  Sydney Boom earned 17 digs while Nicole Halverson had 12 digs. 

Dakota State set season-highs with 67 kills, 189 attack attempts, 65 assists and 103 digs in the match.  The Trojans had 15 more kills than the Comets.  DSU hit .206 (committed 28 attack errors) while the Comets hit .190, with 19 attack errors in 174 attempts.

DSU was .909 behind the serving line with six service aces and recorded nine service errors in 99 attempts.  MSU was .970 service percentage with two service aces and three errors in 101 attempts.

Both teams had seven blocks.

Dakota State concludes their road stretch Tuesday evening as they visit their long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  First serve from the Corn Palace is set for 7:30 p.m. in Mitchell, S.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director