October 15, 2019

YANKTON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) hit .263 and held Mount Marty (S.D.) to .129 hitting efficiency, rolling to a 3-0 non-conference volleyball sweep Tuesday evening at Cimpl Arena.  The victory also gave the Trojans its fifth straight victory in the series meeting with the Lancers, earning its 10th win in the last 11 meetings

DSU, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, produced their eighth win in the last nine matches and raised their overall record to 13-7.  MMC fell to 7-17 overall record.

Dakota State, which is 5-2 record on the road this season, resumes to North Star Athletic Association conference action with a pair of matches this weekend.  The Trojans visit Valley City State (N.D.) at Graichen Gymnasium Friday evening at 6 p.m. in Valley City, N.D.

DSU concludes their four-match road trip Saturday, traveling to Scott Gymnasium to take on Dickinson State (N.D.).  First serve is set for 11 a.m. (Central Time)/10 a.m. (Mountain Time).

Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Mount Marty (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-20, 25-13, 25-23)

• The Trojans jumped to a 13-8 lead in the first set before the Lancers mounted a comeback.  Mount Marty trimmed their deficit to 21-20.  Dakota State closed the first set with a 4-0 scoring tear for a 1-0 match lead after a 25-20 victory, thanks to a pair of service aces by Maddie Polzin and a kill by Samantha Zell.
• DSU hit an impressive .308 in the first set (14 kills with 6 errors in 26 attempts) compared to MMC .154 hitting percentage (9 kills with 5 errors in 26 swings).
• Leading 10-8 in the second set, the Trojans extended their match lead to 2-0 after closing the set with a monstrous 15-5 scoring run.  Barbara Briceno smashed four kills, while Kelsey Pearson added three kills during the Trojans' scoring surge.
• Dakota State recorded an amazing .565 hitting percentage in the second set, smashing 15 kills.  The Trojans committed just two attack errors in 23 attempts.  Mount Marty hit .129 with nine kills and five errors in 31 attempts.
• DSU and MMC went back-and-forth in the early going of the third set.  The Lancers opened a 15-10 lead before the Trojans were forced to call a timeout.  After trailing by 20-14, DSU roared back by scoring 11 of the last 14 points – including a 7-0 run to regain their lead at 21-20) to secure the match with a 25-23 victory.
• A total of nine ties and four lead changes were registered in the third set.  Dakota State struggled offensively by hitting .000 (8 kills with 8 errors in 31 swings).  Mount Marty hit .111 (12 kills with 8 errors in 36 attempts).
• Briceno led the Trojans' offense attack with 14 kills.  She hit .333 in the match.  Polzin and Pearson each tallied six kills.  Polzin collected three service aces.  Zell and Hanna Jellema each had five kills.
• Rachel Johnson contributed 22 set assists to pace DSU's offense.  Nicole Sarringar added 10 assists.
• Peyton Groft tallied a match-high 14 digs for Dakota State.  Tayler Corey added six digs.  Zell had four blocks (2 solo, 2 assist).  Polzin and Payton Johanneson each recorded two block assists.
• Mikaela Ahrendt led the Lancers with 10 kills and registered a hitting percentage of .474.  Gabby Ruth added seven kills and eight digs.  Elizabeth Watchorn had six kills.  Amber Miller produced 28 assists for MMC. 
• Dakota State outhit Mount Marty 37-30 in the match.  The Trojans had six blocks compared to the Lancers two blocks.  Both teams registered four service aces. 
• DSU's junior varsity team earned a 2-0 sweep over MMC, lifting their overall record to 5-2.  The Trojans' junior varsity team will be in action in the Iowa Lakes tournament, playing four matches this weekend in Estherville, Iowa. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director