September 2, 2018

SALINA, Kan. – Dakota State (S.D.) took advantage of Graceland's (Iowa) 23 attack errors and 12 service errors Sunday afternoon, earning another 3-0 sweep at Mabee Arena.  The Trojans swept the Yellowjackets in three close sets by the scores of 25-23, 30-28 and 25-20.

Dakota State closed out the LaQuinta/Kansas Wesleyan tournament with a 3-1 record, raising their overall record to 3-2.  Graceland fell to 6-4 overall record.

With DSU behind at 20-17 in the first set, the Trojans put together a 6-0 scoring tear thanks to Barbara Briceno's three service aces and GU's three attack errors.  The Yellowjackets could get no closer than one point at 24-23, where Samantha Zell smashed a kill for 25-23 set one victory for Dakota State.

Graceland jumped to an 11-7 lead in the second set before Dakota State called its first timeout.  The Trojans rallied back with a 13-6 run to overtake a 20-17 lead.  The Yellowjackets answered back with a 7-3 run to earn a set point at 24-23.

Dakota State would save GU's set point after a kill by Kaylee Spreier to knot the second set at 24-24.  Knotted at 28-28, Samantha Zell smashed a pair of kills as DSU took a 2-0 match lead after a 30-28 thrilling win.  The Trojans hit .159 in the second set (15 kills with 8 errors in 44 swings) while the Yellowjackets hit .163 (17 kills with 9 errors in 49 attempts).

DSU and GU went through eight ties in the first 18 points of the third set.  The Trojans went on a 6-1 outburst to open up a 15-10 lead.  Dakota State would widen their lead to 20-13.  GU could get no closer than four points at two different occasions at 22-18 and 24-20.

Maddie Polzin smashed a kill to secure the match, earning a 25-20 victory and 3-0 win for Dakota State.  The Trojans hit .211 in the third set (13 kills with 5 errors in 38 attempts) compared to the Yellowjackets .205 hitting percentage (14 kills with 6 errors in 39 attempts).

Zell and Briceno each registered 11 kills for DSU.  Briceno posted a double-double with 13 digs.  She also had three service aces.  Polzin added seven kills.  Rachel Johnson contributed a match-high 32 set assists.

Alwaise Villa paced the Trojans' defense with 12 digs.  Kaylee Spreier collected four block assists.  Zell and Gabby Herlyn each had three block assists.

Megan Kneib led the Yellowjackets with 13 kills.  Jasmine Fonoti added 11 kills.  Sam Schell had a double-double of 18 assists and 12 digs.  Kacie Miyama had 19 assists.  Sydney Stewart recorded 10 digs.

Graceland outhit Dakota State 42-36.  The Yellowjackets hit .154 (23 errors in 123 attempts) compared to the Trojans .143 (20 errors in 112 swings). 

DSU was 97.5 percent at the serving line with eight aces and two errors in 79 serves.  GU was 83.3 service percentage with three aces and 12 errors in 72 attempts.

The Trojans had seven blocks compared to the Yellowjackets six blocks.

Both teams will meet for the second meeting later this month, competing in the Clarke (Iowa) tournament on Sept. 15.

Dakota State stays on the road Saturday as they travel to Omaha, Neb.  The Trojans play in the College of Saint Mary (Neb.) triangular, opening up against the host-team at 12 p.m.  DSU also will play St. Mary (Kan.) at 2 p.m.  Both matches will be held at Lied Fitness Center on the campus of College of Saint Mary.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director