September 30, 2016

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) took advantage of Dickinson State's (N.D.) 26 attack errors Friday evening at Scott Gymnasium, earning at 3-0 sweep over the Blue Hawks in the North Star Athletic Association battle.  It was the third straight victory for the Trojans – including a nine-set winning streak – and notched its first NSAA conference victory of the season.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 5-12 and 1-2 NSAA conference record.  Dickinson State fell to 5-11 overall record and 2-2 NSAA.  The Trojans had won their seventh straight meeting with the Blue Hawks.

The Trojans opened up the match with a 7-2 lead before the Blue Hawks trimmed Trojans' lead down to two points at 12-10.  Leading 19-17, Dakota State scored five straight points – with a pair of kills by Clarissa Blick, a kill by Carly Rozell, a block assist by Kirstin Johnson and Blick and a service ace by Kaylee Vander Wal – to grab the largest lead of the match at 24-17. 

Dickinson State scored the next three points before Rozell smashed a kill to secure a 25-20 set one victory.  The Trojans hit an impressive .333 in the opening set (12 kills with 4 errors in 24 attempts) while the Blue Hawks were held to .160 hitting percentage (10 kills with 6 errors in 25 attempts).

After the Trojans scored its first two points of the second set, the Blue Hawks used a 9-2 scoring run to gain a 9-4 lead.  Trailing 17-11, Dakota State answered back by using an 11-3 outburst – thanks to Blue Hawks' five attack errors – to regain their lead at 22-20. 

At 24-21, Dickinson State scored the next two points to trim Dakota State's lead at 24-23.  The Trojans earned a 2-0 match lead after the Blue Hawks committed an attack error to end the second set, with the score of 25-23 in favor of the Trojans.

Dakota State hit .205 in the second set (12 kills with 4 errors in 39 attempts) compared to Dickinson State's .075 (14 kills with 11 errors in 40 attempts). 

The Trojans and Blue Hawks went back-and-forth in the third set with six ties and one lead change.  Leading 23-22, Dakota State closed the match by scoring the final two points after a kill by Blick and Johnson for a 25-22 victory.

Dakota State hit .205 in the third set with 13 kills and 5 errors in 39 attempts.  Dickinson state was held to .098 hitting efficiency with 13 kills and 9 errors in 41 attempts.

Blick led the Trojans with a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs.  Rozell added nine kills and a hitting percentage of .381.  Taylor Stratton had six kills. 

Vander Wal produced 14 assists for Dakota State.  McKenna DeMoe recorded 12 assists. 

Stratton and Blick each registered two service aces for the Trojans.  Chelsey Davis and DeMoe each had five digs.

Johnson racked up a total of six blocks (3 solo) for the Trojans.  Tessa Weeldreyer added three blocks (2 solo).  Rozell and Blick each had two blocks. 

Danielle Boyette smashed nine kills and a hitting percentage of .316 for the Blue Hawks.  Tessa Sian added seven kills.

Keera Stookey led Dickinson State with 17 assists, while Boyette added 16 assists.  Boyette had nine digs.

Alli Hert recorded 13 digs for the Blue Hawks.  Shaylee Singleton added nine digs.

Both teams had 37 kills in the match, but the Trojans hit .235 (13 errors in 102 attempts).  The Blue Hawks hit .104 with 26 errors in 106 attempts.  Dakota State had 11 blocks compared to Dickinson State 3 blocks.

Dakota State stays on the road for another NSAA match-up Saturday afternoon, visiting No. 22-ranked Jamestown (N.D.).  First serve is set for 3 p.m. at Hansen Center in Jamestown, N.D.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director