October 22, 2021

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) returned to North Star Athletic Association volleyball play Friday evening, rolling to a 3-0 victory over Dickinson State (N.D.) at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans hit .289 in the match and held the Blue Hawks to .042 hitting percentage after committing 24 attack errors.

Set scores were 25-22, 25-15, and 25-16.

Dakota State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 15-5 and 6-3 record in North Star.  The Trojans had won nine times in the last 12 matches.  Dickinson State fell to 2-21 overall record and 2-8 NSAA conference record.

The Trojans completed the season series sweep with the Blue Hawks.  DaSU won the fourth straight meeting with DiSU.

Dakota State, who moved into a two-way tie for third place after No. 8 Bellevue (Neb.) 3-0 sweep at Valley City State (N.D.) Friday evening, continues their action on Saturday.  The Trojans visit VCSU at Graichen Gymnasium with the first serve set for 11 a.m. in Valley City, N.D.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Dickinson State (N.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-22, 25-15, 25-16)

• Dakota State kicked off the game with a 10-4 lead, capped by a service ace by Jenna Frank.
• The Trojans committed four straight errors as the Blue Hawks trimmed their deficit to 15-13.
• DaSU never trailed in the first set as they secured a 25-22 victory and gain a 1-0 match lead.
• Dakota State outhit Dickinson State 13-8 in the first set.  The Trojans hit .276 (5 errors in 29 swings) compared to the Blue Hawks .103 (8 kills with 5 errors in 29 attempts).
• DaSU and DiSU battled through nine ties in the second set before the Trojans closed the game strong.
• Dakota State went on a 9-0 outburst to grab a commanding 23-13 lead.  Hannah Viet smashed a kill to set up a set point opportunity at 24-16 in the second set.
• The Blue Hawks committed an attack error as the Trojans earned a 25-15 set two victory and a 2-0 match lead.  DiSU was held to a negative .037 hitting percentage (8 kills with 9 errors in 27 attempts).  DaSU hit .235 in the second set (8 kills with 4 errors in 17 swings).
• Leading 13-10 in the third set, the Trojans went on a 6-2 scoring tear to balloon their lead to 19-12 after an attack error by the Blue Hawks.
• Dakota State never trailed for the rest of the match, closing the third set with a 5-1 scoring run for a 25-16 victory.
• The Trojans hit an impressive .333 in the third set with 11 kills and committed one error in 30 swings.  The Blue Hawks were held to .050 hitting percentage (12 kills with 10 errors in 40 attempts).
• Maddie Polzin paced Dakota State with nine kills.  She also had six digs and a service ace.  Viet hit an impressive career-high .636 in the match with eight kills.  She collected five blocks.
• Sydney Schell added seven kills and hit .375 in the match for DaSU.  Riley Grandpre had five kills.
• Madalyn Groft produced 17 set assists for the Trojans.  Nicole Sarringar added 11 set assists and two service aces.  Peyton Groft and Schell each tallied 11 digs.
• Baylie Dashner led the Blue Hawks offense with 10 k ills.  Mackenna Johnson added nine kills.  Bailey Pearcy posted a double-double of 26 set assists and 13 digs.
• DaSU totaled 32 kills in the match with 10 attack errors in 76 swings.  DiSU recorded 28 kills with 24 attack errors in 96 swings.
• The Blue Hawks committed 10 service errors in the match compared to the Trojans seven errors. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director