September 23, 2016

Photo Credits by Kaden Huntrods and Nicholas Hauser

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) returned back home at DSU Fieldhouse Friday evening for the first time since September 6, hosting Grace (Neb.) in Trojans' homecoming volleyball match.  DSU outhit GU 50-31 in the match, cruising to a 3-set sweep over the Royals by the scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 26-24.

Dakota State improved to 3-12 overall record.  It was DSU's third victory in the last four homecoming matches.  Grace fell to 6-9 overall record.

The Trojans stormed to a 5-0 opening lead, thanks to a pair of block assists by Kirstin Johnson and Carly Rozell.  Rozell and Clarissa Blick also each added a kill during DSU's fast start.  The Trojans extended to their largest lead of the first set at 10-2.

DSU never looked back as they opened up with a 1-0 match lead after winning the first set 25-17.  The Trojans outhit the Royals 16-8 in the first set.

Dakota State used another fast start in the second set, leading 9-3.  At 19-14, the Trojans closed the second set by scoring six straight points – a kill by Tessa Weeldreyer, a service ace by Taylor Stratton, three consecutive kills by Blick and a block assist by Kylie Martin and Weeldreyer – for a 25-14 win and gained a 2-0 match lead. 

Through the first two sets, the Trojans hit .244 (29 kills with 8 errors in 86 attempts) while holding the Royals to .070 hitting percentage (20 kills with 14 errors in 86 attempts).

Grace and Dakota State went through eight ties in the third set.  Trailing 18-17, DSU went on a 7-1 scoring surge to grab a 24-19 lead.  GU saved five match points to knot the third set at 24-24.

The Trojans took a 25-24 lead after a block assists by Johnson and Rozell.  Weeldreyer smashed a kill to seal the match, winning the match after taking the third set at 26-24.

DSU registered 21 kills in the third set compared to GU 11 kills.

Blick led the Trojans' offense attack with 16 kills.  She hit .455 in the match.  Weeldreyer added 11 kills in 22 attempts for a hitting efficiency of .500.  Rozell earned nine kills.  Johnson had six kills.

Kaylee Vander Wall produced 20 set assists for Dakota State.  McKenna DeMoe recorded 14 assists.  Stratton had two service aces.

Chelsey Davis racked up a match-high 26 digs for DSU.  Rozell had 12 digs. 

Johnson recorded seven block assists in the match for the Trojans.  Rozell collected five block assists.  Martin had two block assists.

Taylor Thompson led the Royals with 10 kills.  Ashley Nickelson had seven kills.  Sydney Stevelinck tallied 22 assists.  Chloe Corbett recorded 14 digs, while Ariana Shappell added 13 digs.  Megan Johnson had 12 digs.

Becca Entz had three block assists for GU.

Dakota State hit .246 overall in the match (16 errors in 138 attempts) compared to Grace .109 hitting percentage (17 errors in 128 attempts).  The Trojans recorded 73 digs compared to the Royals 65 digs.

Grace had a .929 serving percentage with two aces and four errors in 56 attempts.  DSU served 92 percent from the serving line with three aces and six errors in 75 attempts.

The Trojans had eight blocks compared to the Royals four blocks.

Dakota State remains home Wednesday for another non-conference match.  The Trojans host in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.) as part of Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night.  First serve is set for 7 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director