September 6, 2019
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to take advantage of their early lead in each set Friday evening at RVSC-Allee Gym, falling in three straight sets to Morningside (Iowa). Set scores were 25-17, 25-23 and 25-19.
Dakota State fell to 3-3 overall record. Morningside, receiving votes in the NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 8-2.
Morningside (Iowa) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 0
- Dakota State built up a 13-9 lead in the opening set before Morningside called its first timeout. The Mustangs scored 16 of the next 20 points (16-4 run) to earn a 1-0 match lead with a 25-17 victory. Each team smashed nine kills in the set, but the Trojans committed 12 attack errors in 36 attempts compared to the Mustangs' four attack errors in 28 attempts.
- The Trojans used another fast start in the second set, racing to an 8-3 lead before the Mustangs were forced to call a timeout. Morningside rallied back to knot the second set at 11-11 after an 8-3 scoring tear.
- MC closed the second set by scoring the final two points for a 25-23 lead, extending their lead to 2-0. The Mustangs had 14 kills in the second set, while the Trojans registered 13 kills.
- DSU began the third set with a 4-1 lead before MC rallied back to tie at 9-9. Leading 16-15, the Mustangs went on a 9-4 closing run to secure the match. Morningside outhit Dakota State 14-7 in the third set.
Inside the Box Score
- Hanna Jellema and Barbara Briceno led the Trojans' offense attack with eight kills each. Samantha Zell added five kills. Maddie Polzin had four kills.
- Rachel Johnson produced 12 set assists for DSU, while her teammate Nicole Sarringar tallied 11 assists. Polzin and Briceno each had two service aces.
- Peyton Groft and Brienco each recorded 11 digs for Dakota State. Zell and Jellema each registered three block assists.
- Emma Gerber led the Mustangs with nine kills and five block assists. Brittni Olson and Caitlin Makovicka each had eight kills. Callie Alberico posted a double-double of 19 assists and 11 digs. Kayla Harris had a match-high 23 digs.
Team Comparisons
- Morningside outhit Dakota State 37-29 in the match. The Mustangs hit .189 (16 errors in 111 attempts) and held the Trojans to .024 hitting efficiency (26 errors in 125 swings).
- Both teams recorded seven service errors. DSU had five aces compared to MC three aces.
- The Mustangs had 10 blocks (2 solo, 16 assist) compared to the Trojans five blocks (10 block assists).
- Morningside racked up 63 digs, while Dakota State had 53 digs.
- The Trojans won the junior varsity match in three sets by the scores of 25-22, 20-25, and 15-12. The DSU junior varsity team remained undefeated with an overall record of 2-0.
Up Next
Dakota State prepares for the final preseason tournament tune-up next weekend. The Trojans play four matches in the Kansas Wesleyan tournament, held at Mabee Arena in Salina, Kan.
DSU opens the tournament versus Friends (Kan.) at 1 p.m. next Friday (Sept. 13), followed by a match versus 2018 NAIA volleyball national runner-up and current No. 2-ranked Columbia (Mo.) at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Trojans take on Montana Western at 11 a.m. and close out the tournament versus the host-team Kansas Wesleyan.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director