October 26, 2021

YANKTON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) committed just eight attack errors and hit an impressive .298 to complete another volleyball season series sweep of Mount Marty (S.D.) Tuesday evening at Cimpl Arena.  The Trojans won by the set scores of 25-16, 25-16, and 25-12 over the Lancers.

Dakota State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 16-6.  The Trojans defeated the Lancers in the Peru State (Neb.) tournament in September and earned a 3-0 victory just a week ago at DSU Fieldhouse.  Mount Marty fell to 8-18 overall record.

Dakota State earned its ninth straight victory in the series meeting with Mount Marty, as well as their 14th win in the last 15 meetings.

DSU continues their busy week as they return home Wednesday.  The Trojans host Presentation (S.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association action at DSU Fieldhouse.  The junior varsity match is set for 4 p.m., where they will play three sets.  The varsity contest is set for 6 p.m.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Mount Marty (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-16, 25-14, 25-12)

• The Trojans kicked off the opening set with a 2-0 lead and never trailed to earn a 1-0 match lead.
• Holding a slim 10-8 lead, the Trojans went on a 9-3 scoring run to balloon their lead to 19-11 after an attack error by the Lancers.
• Dakota State secured the first set at 25-16, thanks to their .268 hitting percentage (14 kills with 3 errors in 41 swings).  Mount Marty was held to .064 hitting percentage (11 kills with 8 errors in 47 attempts).
• The Trojans roared to a 6-0 lead to start the second set with a help of four different hitters with a kill each – Sydney Schell, Vanessa Schroeder, Maddie Polzin, and Madalyn Groft.  Schell also recorded a service ace during the scoring run.
• Three straight kills by M. Groft gave DSU a commanding 16-6 lead over MMU in the second set.
• The Trojans earned a 2-0 match lead after winning the second set at 25-14.  DSU hit near impressive .400 (15 kills with 2 errors in 33 swings) and held MMU to .088 hitting percentage (9 kills with 6 errors in 34 attempts).
• After falling behind 2-0 in the third set, DSU reeled off five straight points to grab a 5-2 lead after a kill by Schroeder.
• Mount Marty could get no closer than three points at 12-9, highlighted by a block by Ally DeLange.
• Dakota State used a strong 13-3 scoring outburst to close the match with a 25-12 set three victory.  Hannah Viet and Polzin each recorded a block assist to secure the victory.
• Schell led the Trojans' offense attack with 14 kills and hit .355.  She also collected nine digs and two service aces.  Polzin added nine kills and hit .364.  She tallied six blocks. 
• M. Groft produced 19 set assists, eight digs, and six kills for Dakota State.  Nicole Sarringar added 12 set assists and five digs.
• Viet and Schroeder each had four kills for DSU.  Viet tallied five blocks.  Peyton Groft recorded 17 digs.
• Gabby Ruth led the Lancers with 10 kills.  Alexis Kirkman added nine kills.  DeLange had 22 set assists.  Zoie Bertsch collected 18 digs. 
• Dakota State outhit Mount Marty 39-28 in the match.  The Lancers committed 27 attack errors in 123 swings, recording a .008 hitting percentage.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director