October 13, 2017

MADISON, S.D. – Three Dakota State (S.D.) players smashed double-digit kills Friday evening, propelling to a 3-0 non-conference volleyball victory over Grace (Neb.) at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans won by the scores of 25-20, 25-13 and 28-26.

Dakota State improved their overall record to 6-19.  Grace fell to 6-16 overall record.

FIRST SET

The Royals opened up with a 2-0 lead.  The Trojans answered back by scoring five straight points, thanks to three kills by Jazmayne Williams, for a 5-2 lead.  DSU extended their lead to 13-7 before GU trimmed their lead to 13-11 after a 4-0 scoring run.

The Trojan maintained their lead for the rest of the first set.  Carly Rozell smashed a kill (assisted by Kendra Steffen) to close the first set for DSU's 25-20 victory and a 1-0 match lead. 

Dakota State outhit Grace 18-6 in the first set.

SECOND SET

DSU raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set, cruising to a 25-13 second set victory and extended their match lead to 2-0.  The Trojans hit an impressive .303 (15 kills with 5 errors in 33 attempts) while holding the Royals to .056 hitting percentage (7 kills with 5 errors in 36 attempts).

THIRD SET

Dakota State and Grace went through a see-saw battle in the third set.  Knotted at 17-17, the Royals used a 4-0 scoring run to grab a 21-17 lead.  The Trojans answered back by scoring four straight points to tie the third set at 21-21.  Trailing 24-23, DSU saved GU's set point after an attack error by the Royals for 24-24 tie.

The Trojans had to save two more set points by the Royals at 25-24 and 26-25.  Dakota State secured the match by scoring the final three points, thanks to a pair of kills by Samantha Zell for a 28-26 victory and 3-0 match win.

DSU had 17 kills in the third set compared to GU 15 kills. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Zell led the Trojans' offense attack with 12 kills.  She hit .389 in the match.  Kaylee Spreier had 11 kills and recorded a match-high .455 hitting efficiency.  Rozell posted a double-double of 11 kills and collected 17 digs.  She also had two service aces.

Rachel Johnson produced 26 set assists for Dakota State.  Steffen added 17 assists.  Maddie Polzin, Johnson and Alwaise Villa each had a service ace.

Bailee Steffensen registered 17 digs for DSU.  Villa added 12 digs.  Johnson and Steffen each had seven digs.

Spreier tallied two block assists for the Trojans.  Rozell and Williams each added a block assist.

Aaliyah Dunbar led the Royals with 10 kills and hit .417 in the match.  Becca Entz had nine kills.  Taylor Thompson had 21 assists.

Chloe Corbet collected 23 digs for Grace.  Alicia Peirce and Entz each had three block assists.  Dunbar and Marissa Waddel each added two block assists.

Dakota State outhit Grace 50-28 in the match.  The Trojans hit .196 (23 attack errors in 138 attempts) compared to the Royals' .103 hitting efficiency (15 errors in 126 attempts). 

DSU was 96.1 percent from the serving line with five service aces and three errors in 76 attempts.  GU had a service percentage of 95.1 percent with two aces and three errors in 61 attempts.

The Royals registered five blocks while the Trojans had two blocks.  DSU collected 76 digs.  GU had 62 digs.

UP NEXT

Dakota State continues their home stand Saturday afternoon.  The Trojans return back to North Star Athletic Association action as they host No. 19-ranked Bellevue (Neb.).  First serve is set for 1 p.m. as part of Parents' Day at DSU Fieldhouse.

Grace travels to Aberdeen, S.D. for a non-conference match versus Presentation (S.D.) Saturday afternoon.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director