October 26, 2023
This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Oct. 26, 2023)—The Dakota State University Trojan volleyball team (13-13 overall record, 4-5 North Star record) stays on the road with another pair of North Star Athletic Association matches. The Trojans play their final road trip of the season in North Dakota.
DSU heads to Graichen Gymnasium (101 Viking Drive) on Friday evening to take on Valley City State (N.D.) (20-6 overall record, 6-2 NSAA conference record, receiving votes in the latest NAIA women's volleyball coaches' Top 25 national poll). First serve is set for 6 p.m. in Valley City, N.D. (note time change).
Dakota State wraps up their road schedule Saturday, visiting Dickinson State (N.D.) (1-19 overall record, 1-7 NSAA conference record). The match is set for 12 p.m. (Central Time)/11 a.m. (Mountain Time) at Scott Gymnasium (1104 2nd Street W) in Dickinson, N.D.
The Trojans earned a pair of wins last week before concluding the week with a setback to a nationally ranked team. DSU continued its dominance of Mount Marty (S.D.) in a 3-1 road victory on Oct. 17, as well another 3-1 North Star conference victory at Waldorf (Iowa) on Oct. 20. Dakota State fell to No. 5 ranked and NSAA conference's leader Viterbo (Wis.) 3-0 on Oct. 21.
Valley City State suffered a 3-0 road set back at Mayville State (N.D.) on Oct. 18 and fell to host-school Morningside (Iowa) on Oct. 21. VCSU wrapped up the week with a 3-0 victory over NCAA Division III Buena Vista (Iowa) in the Morningside triangular. Dickinson State lost a five-set thriller on the road at Mayville State on Oct. 20.
Next Up: Dakota State concludes their regular-season schedule next Saturday, hosting Mayville State (N.D.) with a junior varsity match at 10:30 a.m. and varsity match at 12:30 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.
This Week's Quick Hits
+ Dakota State (S.D.) fell short in the first North Star conference meeting this season with Valley City State (N.D.). The Vikings defeated the Trojans in three straight sets on Oct. 7 at DSU Fieldhouse.
+ The Trojans are seeking for their first win in Valley City, N.D., since March 12, 2021. DSU swept the Vikings in three straight sets.
+ Dakota State had won 17 times in the last 22 matches in the series meeting with Dickinson State (N.D.), including a 3-0 rout at DSU Fieldhouse on Oct. 6.
+ The Trojans had secured a spot in the six-time North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball postseason tournament in Watertown, S.D., after their 3-1 victory at Waldorf (Iowa) on Oct. 20. The NSAA postseason tournament is slated for Nov. 9 through Nov. 11, extending the conference tournament action to three days (quarterfinals on Nov. 9, semifinals on Nov. 10, and championship match on Nov. 11).
+ Dakota State's volleyball team will be holding their Senior Day during the final regular-season home contest on Nov. 4 versus Mayville State (N.D.). The Trojans will be honoring two seniors this season—
Madalyn Groft and
Angela Guthmiller.
+ DSU's junior varsity team (9-5 overall record) closes their season at home on Nov. 4 versus MSU.
Trojans prepare for final home match, postseason
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 26, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) have three matches remaining on their 2023 regular-season schedule, including this weekend's matches at Valley City State (N.D.) and Dickinson State (N.D.).
The Trojans prepare for the final home match of the season at DSU Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 4, hosting Mayville State (N.D.). The junior varsity match takes place at 10:30 a.m., followed by the varsity match at 12:30 p.m.
The DSU volleyball program will be honoring their two seniors—
Madalyn Groft and
Angela Guthmiller—on Nov. 4.
DSU had secured a spot in the upcoming 2023 North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball postseason tournament on Nov. 9-11 in Watertown, S.D. The top six teams in the conference standings will play in the postseason tournament at the Civic Arena. The quarterfinals take place on Thursday, Nov. 9, followed by the semifinals matches on Friday, Nov. 10, and the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 11. The tournament winner receives the automatic bid to the national tournament opening round on Nov. 18.
Trojans defeat WU for fourth win in last five matches
Forest City, Iowa (Oct. 20, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) shook off their slow start after losing the first set at Hanson Fieldhouse, winning the next three sets to earn a 3-1 match victory to keep Waldorf (Iowa) winless in the North Star Athletic Association action. It was the fourth win in the last five matches for the Trojans.
The Warriors hit .414 in the opening set to earn a 25-16 victory and a 1-0 match lead. The second set saw numerous of runs by both teams, as Waldorf took a 24-22 set point opportunity. Dakota State saved two set point chances at 24-24. Trailing 26-24, the Trojans evened the match at 1-1 after the Warriors committed three straight attack errors to secure a 28-28 victory for DSU. Dakota State and Waldorf battled back-and-forth in the third set, with the lead no greater than three points. DSU was able to close the third set with a 5-0 run for a 25-21 victory, and cruised past the Warriors 25-16 in the fourth set to claim the victory.
Hailey Wathen led the Trojans with 14 kills.
Brooklyn Grage added 13 kills and four blocks.
Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri had eight kills and four blocks.
Maddi Langerock posted a double-double of 36 set assists and 16 digs.
Kate VanRooyan had 21 digs.
Reagan VanRooyan added 10 digs and five service aces. Hannah Evens had a season-high five blocks.
Dakota State had 11 blocks compared to Waldorf seven blocks in the match.
(5) V-Hawks sweep Trojans in three straight sets
La Crosse, Wis. (Oct. 21, 2023)—Dakota State (S.D.) could not overcome the North Star Athletic Association women's volleyball leader and nationally ranked No. 5 Viterbo's (Wis.) .352 hitting percentage. The V-Hawks swept the Trojans in three straight sets at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium.
Knotted at 4-4 in the first set, Viterbo used a 14-4 scoring run to pull away past Dakota State for a 25-13 victory. After DSU took the first lead of the second set at 1-0, VU went on an 11-1 scoring tear to gain a 11-2 lead. The Trojans could get no closer than five points as the V-Hawks secured the second set at 25-14. VU hit .314 in the third to produce a 25-13 victory.
Brooklyn Grage led the Trojans with eight kills.
Macey Wathen added six kills and .308 in the match.
Hannah Evans had four kills and two blocks.
Maddi Langerock had a double-double of 21 set assists and 11 digs.
Kate VanRooyan collected 10 digs.
Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri recorded three blocks.
Viterbo outhit Dakota State 45-26 in the match. The V-Hawks committed eight attack errors in 105 attempts and held the Trojans to .059 hitting percentage (20 attack errors in 101 swings).
Dakota State in school record book
Madison, S.D. (Oct. 26, 2023)—A pair of Dakota State (S.D.) athletes are listed in the 'Top 10' school record book.
Madalyn Groft is fifth all-time in set assists for the Trojans with 2,366 set assists. She produced 748 set assists during her freshman season in 2020-21, followed by 648 assists in 2021-22 season. Groft added 604 assists in 2022-23 and 366 assists this season.
Stacey Westby holds the school record of 3,804 set assists in 2011-15, followed by Jill Weisser with 3,150 set assists from 2000-04.
Sydney Schell is seventh all-time in DSU school record book in total kills with 1,111 kills. She is one kill shy of tying the sixth all-time record holder by Caitlin Pick with 1,112 kills from 2011-15. Schell smashed 320 kills in 2021-22, 469 kills in 2022-23, and 322 kills this season for the Trojans.
Former four-time North Star Athletic Association All-Conference recipient Carly Rozell holds the all-time record of 1,481 kills at Dakota State from 2014-17.
2023 DSU Trojan Volleyball Team Leaders
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