September 15, 2018

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Host-team Clarke (Iowa) smashed 49 kills Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-0 sweep over Dakota State (S.D.) in the final preseason tournament tune-up at Kehl Center.  The Crusaders won by the scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 26-24.

The Trojans, which recorded 31 kills in the match, fell to 5-6 overall record.  Clarke raised their overall record to 15-2.

At 9-7 in the opening set, CU stretched their lead to 16-7 after a 7-0 scoring surge.  The Trojans' comeback fell short as they could get no closer than three points at 23-20.  Clarke won the first set by the score of 25-20, thanks to their dominating .448 hitting percentage (15 kills with 2 errors in 29 attempts).  DSU hit .194 in the opening set (11 kills with 5 errors in 31 attempts).

Clarke used another fast start, opening the second set with an 8-2 lead.  Dakota State would answer back with a 9-2 outburst for an 11-10 lead.  Both teams went through see-saw battle from there, ending up with a 25-21 victory by CU and extended their match lead to 2-0. 

The Crusaders outhit the Trojans 17-9 in the second set.

DSU and CU battled through 13 ties in the third set.  With the Crusaders leading at 24-23, the Trojans saved the match point after a kill by Kaylee Spreier for a 24-24 tie.  Clarke closed the match by scoring the final two points by Kelsi Chambers' kill and a service ace.

Dakota State hit .205 in the third set (11 kills with 3 errors in 39 attempts), despite the defeat.  Clarke was held to .191 hitting efficiency (17 kills with 8 errors in 47 attempts).

Polzin smashed 11 kills and recorded a hitting percentage of .313 for Dakota State.  Samantha Zell added eight kills and two block assists.  Nicole Sarringar posted a double-double of 25 set assists and 13 digs.

Alwaise Villa collected 12 digs for the Trojans.  Naomi Larson registered two service aces.

Kasey Davis led the Crusaders with 18 kills and recorded a hitting percentage of .417.  She also had nine digs.  Kayla Budgins and Lindsey Steger each added nine kills.  Chambers had eight kills and nine digs.  Maddie Ro registered 24 set assists, while her teammate Randi Hafner added 13 digs.

Clarke hit .274 in the match (49 kills with 17 errors in 117 swings) compared to Dakota State .175 hitting percentage (31 kills with 13 errors in 103 attempts). 

The Trojans recorded a service percentage of 89.4 with five aces and seven errors in 66 serves.  The Crusaders had an 88.2 service percentage (5 aces with 9 errors in 76 attempts).

Both teams recorded five team blocks in the match.

Dakota State swings back in the North Star Athletic Association conference play next weekend.  The Trojans stay on the road, visiting Valley City State (N.D.) on Friday followed by a match at Dickinson State (N.D.) next Saturday.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. on Friday at Grachien Gym in Valley City, N.D. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director