September 4, 2021

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. – Life (Ga.) outhit Dakota State (S.D.) 50-27 to cruise to a 3-0 sweep on the second day of the Labor Day Classic, hosted by College of Saint Mary (Neb.) at United Sports Academy.  The Eagles won by the scores of 25-11, 25-17, and 25-18.

Life, receiving votes in the NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 10-1.  Dakota State suffered its first setback of the season, falling to 2-1.

The Trojans wrap up the first preseason tournament with a match against nationally ranked No. 4 Park (Mo.) at 3 p.m.

(RV) Life (Ga.) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-11, 25-17, 25-18)

• Dakota State grabbed its first lead of the opening set with a kill by Hannah Viet (1-0 DSU lead).
• Leading 6-3, the Eagles stormed with a 7-0 outburst to widen their lead to 13-3 and never looked back.
• Life hit .520 (15 kills with 2 errors in 25 swings) to propel to a 25-11 set one victory for a 1-0 match lead over Dakota State.  The Trojans were held to .087 hitting efficiency (7 kills with 5 errors in 23 attempts).
• The Trojans opened the second set with a 5-3 lead after a ball handing error committed by the Eagles.
• Trailing 7-5, Life used an 8-1 scoring run capped by Lena Pucnik to earn a 13-8 lead.
• Dakota State could get no closer than four points at 13-9 with a kill by Madalyn Groft in the second set.
• The Eagles hit .312 (15 kills with 5 errors in 32 swings) to fuel to a 25-17 set two victory, earning a 2-0 match lead.  DSU was held to .071 hitting percentage (9 kills with 7 errors in 28 attempts).
• Life started the third set with a quick 3-0 lead after back-to-back kills by Madison Evans followed by a kill by Morgan Furness.
• Savannah Mares hit a service ace as Dakota State rallied back to knot the third set at 9-9. 
• At 12-10, the Eagles went on a 6-1 scoring tear to extend their lead to 18-11 highlighted by Fayola Louis' kill. 
• DSU could get no closer than five points at 19-14 (capped by Sydney Schell's kill).
• Life secured the match with a 25-18 set three victory, earning a 3-0 match win. 
• The Eagles outhit the Trojans 20-11 in the third set.
• Schell paced DSU's offense attack with nine kills.  M. Groft added six kills.  She contributed 13 set assists and tallied five digs. 
• Riley Grandpre and Viet each recorded four kills for Dakota State.  Peyton Groft had 11 digs.  Nicole Sarringar posted 11 set assists
• Evans smashed 16 kills and hit .577 in the match for Life.  Caitlyn Neal added 10 kills.  Jessie Prichard produced 42 set assists and contributed nine digs.  Marin Black had 10 digs. 
• Morgan Furness registered nine kills and hit .615 for the Eagles.
• Life recorded a hitting percentage of .385 (50 kills with 13 errors in 96 swings) compared to Dakota State .140 (27 kills with 15 errors in 86 attempts). 
• DSU had five blocks (3 solo, 4 assist), while LU recorded four blocks (2 solo, 4 assist). 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director