October 29, 2021

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) hit .232 in the match Friday evening, fueling to a 3-0 non-conference finale victory over Great Plains Athletic Conference's foe Briar Cliff (Iowa) at Newman Flanagan Center.  The Trojans completed their undefeated record against members of the GPAC this season (7-0 record, including a victory over then-No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan, S.D.).

Dakota State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, earned their third straight 3-0 sweeps this week, raising their overall record to 18-6.  The Trojans won their third straight meeting with the Chargers, who fell to 8-18 overall record this season.

DSU wraps up their busiest week with the North Star Athletic Association home finale versus Mayville State (N.D.) Saturday afternoon.  There will be a junior varsity match at 1 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 3 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.  Parents and Seniors Day will be held.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Briar Cliff (Iowa) 0 – FINAL (25-22, 25-14, 25-21)

• Dakota State went on a mini 3-0 run to break a 3-3 tie into a 6-3 lead, forcing Briar Cliff to call its first timeout of the first set.  The Trojans stretched its scoring run to 5-0 after an attack error by the Chargers for an 8-3 lead.
• At 14-11, Maddie Polzin and Hannah Viet each smashed a pair of kills during DSU's 6-0 scoring run to balloon their lead to 20-11.
• The Chargers roared back by scoring nine straight points to knot the first set at 20-20.
• Knotted at 22-22, the Trojans closed the first set by scoring the final three points.  Sydney Schell smashed back-to-back kills to secure a 1-0 match after a 25-22 set one victory.
• Dakota State outhit Briar Cliff 19-10 in the opening set.  DSU hit .267 (7 errors in 45 swings) compared to BCU .128 hitting percentage (5 errors in 39 swings).
• Trailing 11-10 in the second set, Dakota State held Briar Cliff to three points for the rest of the set.  The Trojans fueled a monstrous 15-3 scoring run to extend their match lead to 2-0.  BCU committed 10 attack errors during DSU's scoring surge.
• Dakota State opened the third set with a 7-3 lead after BCU's attack error.
• With DSU leading 16-11, the Chargers went on a 6-1 scoring run to tie at 17-17. 
• At 20-20, Polzin and Schell each recorded a kill to put DSU up 22-20 before the Chargers called a timeout.  A block by Viet and Polzin extended DSU's lead to 23-20.
• Abbie Ericson smashed a kill as the Chargers trimmed Trojans' lead to 23-21.
• Polzin recorded a kill to set up a match point opportunity for DSU at 24-21.  The Trojans secured the match victory after the Chargers committed an attack error for 25-21 victory.
• Viet and Polzin each tallied nine kills in the match for Dakota State.  Schell added eight kills. 
• Madalyn Groft produced 19 set assists, collected eight digs, and registered six kills for DSU.  Nicole Sarringar added 14 set assists and five digs.  Riley Grandpre had five kills.
• Vanessa Schroeder recorded two blocks for the Trojans.  Schell collected a match-high 18 digs.  Peyton Groft added 14 digs and four set assists.  VonnaGail Schlechter recorded eight digs.
• Chloe Johnson led the Chargers with 10 kills.  Tyra Blue added eight kills.  Maureen Imrie contributed 15 set assists and nine digs.  Madilyn Wagaman had 10 set assists and four digs.  Toria Andre recorded three blocks.
• Dakota State outhit Briar Cliff 41-31 in the match.  The Trojans committed 15 attack errors in 112 attempts compared to the Chargers 22 attack errors in 121 swings (.074 hitting percentage).
• DSU collected 62 digs compared to BCU 49 digs. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director