September 22, 2018

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) smashed 50 kills and recorded 11 team blocks Saturday evening, defeating Dickinson State (N.D.) in four sets at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans earned its first North Star conference win of the season by the scores of 25-19, 24-26, 25-22 and 25-20.

Dakota State, who bounced back in the winning column after a heartbreaking defeat at Valley City State (N.D.) Friday evening, improved their overall record to 6-7 and 1-2 NSAA conference record.  Dickinson State fell to 2-12 overall record and winless in three North Star conference matches.

FIRST SET

After the Blue Hawks scored its first point of the first set, the Trojans reeled off five straight points for a 5-1 lead and never looked back.  Dickinson State could get no closer than three points at 15-12, as Dakota State secured a 1-0 match lead after recording a 25-19 set one victory. 

DaSU hit an amazing .375 hitting percentage in the first set, smashing 12 kills and committed just three errors in 24 swings.  DiSU was held to .063 hitting efficiency with 12 kills and committed 10 attack errors in 32 attempts.

SECOND SET

Dakota State and Dickinson State went through a see-saw battle in the second set, recording nine ties through 34 points.  Tied at 17-17, DaSU used 5-2 run to grab a 22-19 lead.

With the Trojans leading at 23-21, the Blue Hawks rallied back by scoring two straight points to tie at 23-23.  Dickinson State committed an attack error to give Dakota State a 24-23 lead.  The Blue Hawks saved DaSU's set point and scored the final three points of the second set for a 26-24 lead and evened the match at 1-1.  Dickinson State closed the second set with a 6-1 scoring outburst.

Both teams had 11 kills and recorded nine attack errors.

THIRD SET

Trailing 14-9 in the third set, Dakota State roared back by scoring seven straight points to earn a 16-14 lead.

At 19-18, Dakota State went on to score five straight points to take a 24-18 lead.  Dickinson State would score the next four points before Barbara Briceno closed the third set with a kill to give Dakota State a 2-1 lead after a 25-22 third set victory.

DaSU and DiSU struggled offensively in the third set.  The Trojans smashed 15 kills with 11 errors in 47 attempts for a hitting percentage of .085.  The Blue Hawks had 8 kills with 8 attack errors in 46 swings (.000 hitting percentage).

FOURTH SET

Dakota State used a strong closing run to secure the fourth set and the match.  Down 17-14, the Trojans put together an 11-3 outburst to close the match for a 3-1 victory (25-20 fourth set win).

DaSU outhit DiSU 12-10 in the fourth set. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Briceno led Dakota State with a double-double of 14 kills and 13 digs.  Anna Schwint produced career-highs 10 kills and .476 hitting percentage.  Maddie Polzin added nine kills.  Gabby Herlyn had six kills and three solo blocks. 

Nicole Sarringar paced the Trojans' offense with 20 set assists.  She also had seven digs.  Rachel Johnson tallied 18 assists and six digs.

Alwaise Villa collected 23 digs for DaSU.  Polzin recorded three service aces.  Briceno and Kaylee Spreier each had two aces.

Ellie Hanser led the Blue Hawks with 12 kills and .314 hitting percentage.  Kylie Hadley and Alyssa Wisher each had seven kills.  Keera Stookey tallied 20 assists and nine digs.  Karlie Cleveland had 17 assists and 7 digs.  Sarah Dobitz registered 10 digs.  Jenna Swope had three aces.

Dakota State outhit Dickinson State 50-41 in the match.  The Trojans hit .131 (30 attack errors in 153 attempts) compared to the Blue Hawks .045 hitting percentage (34 errors in 154 swings).

DaSU registered 11 team blocks in the match, while DiSU had seven blocks.

UP NEXT

Dakota State returns home at DSU Fieldhouse Wednesday to kick off the homecoming week with a four-match home stand.  The Trojans host long-time rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Wednesday evening.  There will be a junior varsity match at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 7:30 p.m.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director