August 19, 2022

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Dakota State (S.D.) hit an impressive .380, committing just three attack errors in 79 swings to rout Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 3-0 Friday afternoon in the second match of the Chick-Fil-A Classic, hosted by Keiser (Fla.) at Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center.  The Trojans held the Tigers to 27 points in the match (25-15, 25-7, and 25-5).  ONU was held to a negative .067 hitting percentage in the match, suffering 29 attack errors in 104 attempts.

Dakota State made their 2022 season debut with an overall record of 2-0, the third straight season that the Trojans opened the season with an undefeated record.  Olivet Nazarene, a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, fell to 0-2 overall record.

The Trojans wrap up their tournament play with another two-match slate Saturday, taking on Loyola (La.) at 10 a.m. (Eastern Time)/9 a.m. (Central Time) and Georgetown (Ky.) at 2 p.m. (ET)/1 p.m. (CT).

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 0 – FINAL (25-15, 25-7, 25-5)

• At 4-3 in the opening set, Riley Grandpre capped DSU's 6-2 scoring run with a kill to stretch their lead to 10-5.
• The Trojans continued its scoring surge with a 13-4 run, increasing their lead to 17-7 after a service ace by Peyton Groft.
• DSU never trailed for the rest of the first set as Brooklyn Grage and Hannah Viet each recorded a block for a 25-15 win, earning a 1-0 match lead.
• Dakota State hit .353 in the opening set (13 kills with 1 error in 34 swings) and held Olivet Nazarene to .053 hitting percentage (12 kills with 10 errors in 38 attempts).
• Trailing 4-3, the Trojans scored 13 consecutive points to widen their lead to 16-4.  During the 13-0 scoring surge, Sydney Schell collected four kills.
• DSU dominated the second set as Riley Grandpre closed with a kill for a 25-7 victory, extending their match lead to 2-0. 
• The Trojans outhit the Tigers 10-7 in the second set.  ONU suffered eight attack errors in 35 swings for a minus .029 hitting percentage.  DSU hit an astounding .409 (1 error in 22 attempts).
• Dakota State scored the first four points of the third set to open a 4-0 lead, thanks to a pair of kills by Hannah Viet. 
• DSU took advantage of ONU's five attack errors to widen their lead to 11-1 in the third set and never looked back.
• An attack error by the Tigers secured the dominating victory by the Trojans, winning 25-5 in the third set and their second straight three-set sweep.
• Dakota State smashed 10 kills in the third set, while Olivet Nazarene recorded three kills.  The Trojans hit .391 (1 error in 23 swings).  ONU committed 11 attack errors in 31 attempts for a negative .258 hitting percentage.
• Viet led the balanced DSU's offense attack with nine kills and hit a career-best .692.  She also had five blocks.  Schell added nine kills and eight digs.
• M. Groft produced 23 set assists, five kills, and five digs for the Trojans.  She registered a match-high four service aces.  Grandpre had four kills and three blocks.  Peyton Groft led the defense with nine digs.
• Kylie Hasselbacher led the Tigers with six kills.  Kaylee Cozen and Sutton Bate each had four kills.
• Ella Johnson contributed 13 set assists for Olivet Nazarene.  Brianna Cannon earned 17 digs.
• DSU outhit ONU 33-22 in the match. 
• The Trojans recorded six service aces while the Tigers had a service ace. 
• Dakota State racked up seven blocks (14 block assists).  Olivet Nazarene did not record a block in the match.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director