September 25, 2019
PHOTO GALLERY: Junior Varsity - Varsity - Photos credits by Cody Welu and Donald Weidler
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off their five-match volleyball home stand Wednesday evening at DSU Fieldhouse, rolling to a 3-0 sweep over in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.). It was the fourth straight win in the series meeting for DSU over MMC, Trojans' ninth win in the last ten meetings with the Lancers.
Set scores were 25-22, 25-14 and 25-16.
DSU won their third consecutive match – and their first home win this season. The Trojans raised their overall record to 8-6. Mount Marty fell to 7-13 overall record.
Both teams will meet again for the second meeting in less than three weeks at Mount Marty on Oct. 15.
Dakota State stays home Friday evening as they host Valley City State (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association conference action. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans host Dickinson State (N.D.) on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Mount Marty (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-22, 25-14, 25-16)
- The Lancers opened the match with a 12-8 lead. The Trojans rallied back to knot the first set at 15-15 before MMC went on a 6-2 scoring tear for 21-17.
- Dakota State scored eight times in the next nine rallies (8-1 scoring tea) to close out the first set strong, winning 25-22 for a 1-0 match lead. Kelsey Pearson and Barbara Briceno each smashed two kills during DSU's strong closing run.
DSU outhit MMC 15-13 in the first set. The Trojans recorded a hitting percentage of .160 (7 errors in 50 attempts) compared to the Lancers .111 hitting efficiency (8 errors in 45 swings).- Dakota State roared to an 8-2 lead in the second set and never looked back to take a 2-0 match lead after winning 25-14. The Trojans outhit the Lancers 12-8 in the second set. DSU hit .200 (5 errors in 35 attempts), while MMC committed nine attack errors in 37 swings for a negative .027 hitting efficiency.
- Trailing 6-5 in the third set, the Trojans sparked a 13-4 outburst for an 18-10 lead. DSU's Samantha Zell smashed a kill to close the set for a 25-16 victory, earning a 3-0 sweep over the Lancers.
- Dakota State hit an impressive .353 in the third set (15 kills with 3 errors in 34 swings). Mount Marty was held to .000 hitting percentage (7 kills with 7 errors in 32 attempts).
- Maddie Polzin and Pearson each smashed eight kills for the Trojans' offense attack. Zell and Barbara Briceno each added seven kills.
Nicole Sarringar contributed DSU's offense with 18 set assists. Rachel Johnson added 17 set assists and collected eight digs.- Peyton Groft registered a match-high 19 digs for Dakota State. Briceno added 14 digs. Zell recorded five blocks (2 solo, 3 assist). Riley Grandpre and Pearson each had three block assists.
- Mikaela Ahrendt led the Lancers with seven kills. Elizabeth Watchorn, Gabby Ruth and Bret Woelber each tallied five kills. Amber Miller posted a double-double of 24 assists and 10 digs. Ruth had 13 digs. Watchorn recorded 11 digs. Miller and Caitlin Dirks each had three block assists.
- Dakota State outhit Mount Marty 42-28 in the match. The Trojans hit .227 (15 errors in 119 swings) and held the Lancers to .035 hitting percentage. MMC committed 24 attack errors in 114 attempts).
- DSU was 90.4 percent from the serving line (1 ace, 7 errors) in 73 attempts). MMC recorded a service percentage of 88.9 percent with two aces and six errors in 54 serves.
- The Trojans had nine team blocks (2 solo, 14 assist) compared to the Lancers five blocks (1 solo, 8 assist).
- DSU's junior varsity match swept Mount Marty in two straight sets by the scores of 25-13 and 25-20, lifting their record to 4-2 on the season.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
