October 27, 2018

MADISON, S.D. – Dickinson State (N.D.) took advantage of Dakota State's (S.D.) 38 attack errors, earning a 3-1 North Star Athletic Association conference victory (25-22, 25-17, 18-25 and 25-20) at DSU Fieldhouse.  The Blue Hawks gained a season series split with the Trojans winning the first meeting in four sets earlier this season in Dickinson, N.D.

Dakota State fell to 14-12 overall record and 6-6 NSAA conference record.  Dickinson State improved to 6-21 overall record and 4-8 NSAA conference record. 

FIRST SET

Dakota State and Dickinson State went through 10 ties and two lead changes in the opening set.  Deadlocked at 13-13, the Blue Hawks used a 6-3 run to open up a 19-16 lead.

The Trojans could get no closer than one point at 23-22.  DiSU went on to score the final two points after an attack error by the Trojans a kill by Sydney Bentz for a 25-22 victory and 1-0 match lead.

DaSU outhit DiSU 11-8 in the first set.  However, the Trojans committed 12 attack errors and a negative .020 hitting percentage in 50 swings.  The Blue Hawks struggled offensively with a .023 hitting percentage (7 errors in 43 attempts).

SECOND SET

Dakota State jumped to a 6-3 lead in the second set.  Dickinson State then went on a monstrous 7-0 scoring run to regain their lead at 10-7 and never looked back. 

The Blue Hawks closed the second set with a 5-1 scoring run for a 25-17 victory. 

The Trojans outhit the Blue Hawks 13-12 in the second set.  DiSU hit an impressive .323 hitting percentage by committing just two attack errors in 44 swings.  DaSU was held to .000 hitting efficiency, recording 13 attack errors in 44 attempts.

THIRD SET

Dakota State scored the first four points of the third set, earning a 4-0 lead over Dickinson State.  The Blue Hawks could get no closer than one point at 7-6 as the Trojans used an 8-2 outburst to widen their lead to 15-8. 

Samantha Zell smashed a kill to close the third set for 25-18 DaSU victory, extending the match into the fourth set. 

The Trojans hit .128 (12 kills with 7 errors in 39 attempts) and held the Blue Hawks to .000 hitting percentage (6 kills with 6 errors in 39 attempts).

FOURTH SET

DaSU used another fast start in the fourth set, scoring the first three points for a 3-0 lead.  With the Trojans leading 11-5, the Blue Hawks mounted a furious comeback with a 11-3 run to earn a 16-14 lead.

Trailing 21-17, the Trojans scored three straight points to cut the Blue Hawks' lead to 21-20.  DiSU then scored four straight points to close the match, posting a 25-20 victory and 3-1 match win.

Dickinson State smashed 14 kills in the fourth set compared Dakota State 13 kills.  The Blue Hawks hit .282 (3 errors in 39 attempts) while the Trojans had .152 hitting efficiency (6 errors in 46 attempts).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Maddie Polzin smashed 14 kills for Dakota State.  Zell added 11 kills.  Kaylee Spreier and Barbara Briceno each tallied nine kills. 

Rachel Johnson had a match-high 25 set assists for the Trojans.  Nicole Sarringar posted a double-double of 15 assists and 10 digs. 

Alwaise Villa collected a match-high 27 digs for DaSU.  Briceno added 18 digs.  Spreier, Briceno and Polzin each registered two service aces.  Zell had four block assists.

Kylie Hadley led the Blue Hawks with 12 kills.  Kadara Marshall added 10 kills.  Alyssa Wisher and Bentz each had six kills.

Stookey Keera produced a double-double of 17 set assists and 18 digs for DiSU.  Karlie Cleveland added a double-double of 12 assists and 14 digs. 

Makenzie Digesualdo recorded 17 digs for the Blue Hawks.  Jenna Swope had 11 digs.  Allie Hert collected 10 digs.

Dickinson State hit .145 in the match (40 kills with 18 errors in 152 swings) compared to Dakota State .061 hitting efficiency (49 kills with 38 errors in 179 attempts). 

The Trojans recorded eight service aces in the match, registering a service percentage of .929 (6 serve errors).  The Blue Hawks had an ace and six errors in 92 serves (.935 serving percentage).

DiSU had five team blocks compared to DaSU four team blocks.

UP NEXT

Dakota State continues their five-match home stand Tuesday evening as they host Briar Cliff (Iowa) in a non-conference clash.  The junior varsity match kicks off at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 7:30 p.m.  The DSU volleyball team will be hosting an ice cream social after the varsity match as part of Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night.

Dickinson State returns home to conclude their regular-season versus Mayville State (N.D.) Friday evening and Presentation (S.D.) next Saturday.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director