October 19, 2019

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) dominated Dickinson State (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association volleyball conference action, rolling to a 3-0 sweep Saturday morning at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans hit .233 in the match and added 11 service aces (with five aces from Maddie Polzin) and limited the Blue Hawks to .083 hitting percentage. 

Dakota State (receiving votes in the latest NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll) bounced back in the winning column, lifting their overall record to 14-8.  The Trojans are also 7-2 record in the league contests, tied for second in the standings with No. 15-ranked Bellevue (Neb.).  Dickinson State fell to 7-11 overall record and 2-7 NSAA conference record.

Dakota State returns home Tuesday evening to kick off their three-match home stand.  The Trojans host Briar Cliff (Iowa) in the annual Dig Pink match at DSU Fieldhouse.  The junior varsity team kicks off at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity contest at 7:30 p.m.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Dickinson State (N.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-17, 25-15, 25-19)

• The Trojans quickly opened the first set with a 3-0 lead and never trailed.  Leading 13-9, Dakota State went on a 5-0 scoring run to widen their lead to 18-9.  The Blue Hawks trimmed the Trojans' lead to 18-14.  Dakota State went on to close the first set with a 7-3 run to gain a 25-17 win and 1-0 match lead.
• DaSU outhit DiSU 13-6 in the first set.  The Trojans hit .167 (8 errors n 30 attempts) compared to the Blue Hawks .071 hitting efficiency (4 errors in 28 swings).
• Trailing 4-3 in the second set, Dakota State stormed with a 9-1 outburst to grab a 13-5 lead.  Dakota State cruised past Dickinson State 25-15 to widen their match lead to 2-0, thanks to an impressive .346 hitting percentage (11 kills with 2 errors in 26 attempts).  The Blue Hawks were held to negative .040 hitting efficiency (6 kills with 7 errors in 25 attmpts0.
• Knotted at 10-10, Dakota State used a 9-3 scoring surge capped off by Polzin's three consecutive service aces for 19-13 DaSU lead.  The Blue Hawks could get no closer than three points at 20-17 before the Trojans pulled away for a 25-19 victory.
• Polzin finished the game with seven kills and hit .429.  She also had two block assists for Dakota State.  Barbara Briceno added nine kills and eight digs.  Hanna Jellema tallied eight kills and registered a hitting percentage of .571.  Riley Grandpre also hit .571 with four kills. 
• Nicole Sarringar contributed 17 set assists for the Trojans' offense attack. Rachel Johnson added 14 assists and seven digs.  Peyton Groft tallied 11 digs.  Samantha Zell collected three block assists.  Grandpre and Sarringar each had two service aces.
• Cassie North and Abby Moerkerke each had seven kills for Dickinson State.  Keera Stookey recorded 11 set assists.  Sarah Dobitz had 10 digs.  Alyssa Wisher collected three block assists.
• Dakota State outhit Dickinson State 33-24 in the match.  The Blue Hawks committed 17 attack errors in 84 attempts compared to the Trojans 13 attack error sin 86 attempts. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director