August 29, 2018

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) was held to .038 hitting percentage Wednesday evening, falling in their season volleyball opener to rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at the Corn Palace  The Tigers swept the Trojans in three straight sets by the scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-15.

Dakota Wesleyan remained undefeated this season with a 5-0 record.  Both teams will meet again for the second meeting on Sept. 26 at DSU Fieldhouse.

Tied 5-5 in the early going of the first set, the Tigers used an 8-0 scoring run to grab a 13-5 and never looked back.  DWU outhit DSU 17-8 to grab a 1-0 match lead after winning the first set at 25-15.

Both teams struggled in the second set, hitting well below .100.  Tied 9-9, the Tigers closed the second set with a 16-9 scoring tear for a 25-18 victory to extend their match lead to 2-0.  DWU was held to .032 hitting percentage (8 kills with 7 errors in 31 attempts), while DSU hit minus .029 (9 kills with 10 errors in 34 attempts).

The Tigers used a 5-0 spurt to widen their lead from 9-8 to 14-8 in the third set.  The Trojans could get no closer than four points at 14-10 as DWU sealed a 3-0 match victory by winning the third set at 25-15.  Dakota Wesleyan outhit Dakota State 12-8 and .265 to .032 hitting percentage.

Maddie Polzin led the Trojans with nine kills (.238 hitting percentage).  She also had 10 digs and four block assists.  Kaylee Spreier and Kelsey Pearson each added five kills.  Rachel Johnson contributed 12 set assists.  Nicole Sarringar added seven assists.

Alwaise Villa tallied 12 digs for DSU's defense.  Peyton Groft had eight digs.  Samantha Zell added five block assists.

Rebecca Fricke smashed 14 kills and hit .351 in the match for the Tigers.  Sydney Fritz added seven kills.  Bridgett Knobbe had 27 assists.  Sara Herman registered 16 digs.  Emily Brunsing had four block assists.

Dakota Wesleyan hit .216 in the match with 37 kills and committed 15 errors in 102 attempts.  Dakota State recorded 25 kills with 21 attack errors in 104 attempts.

DWU registered nine blocks (2 solo blocks, 14 block assists) compared to DSU eight blocks (1 solo block, 14 block assists).

The Tigers had three service aces compared to the Trojans zero aces. 

Dakota Wesleyan won the junior varsity match in three sets – 23-25, 25-23 and 15-4.

Dakota State stays on the road this weekend as they play four matches in the two-day LaQuinta/Kansas Wesleyan tournament.  The Trojans kick off the tournament on Saturday at 3 p.m. versus Stephens (Mo.) and 7 p.m. versus William Penn (Iowa).  The matches take place at Mabee Arena in Salina, Kan.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director