October 27, 2023

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Valley City State (N.D.) smashed 50 kills Friday evening, earning a 3-0 sweep over Dakota State (S.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association women's volleyball action at Graichen Gymnasium.  The Vikings completed the NSAA season series sweep over the Trojans.

Dakota State fell to 13-14 overall record and 4-6 NSAA conference record.  Valley City State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 21-6 and 7-2 record in the league.

The Trojans play their final North Star road contest Saturday, visiting Dickinson State (N.D.).  The match is set for 12 p.m. (Central Time)/11 a.m. (Mountain Time) at Scott Gymnasium in Dickinson, N.D.

(RV) Valley City State (N.D.) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-22, 25-16, 25-13)

After the Vikings held a slim 5-4 lead over the Trojans to start the first set, VCSU went on a 6-0 scoring run capped by a block from Morgan Freije and Sadie Hansen for an 11-4 lead.

Valley City State led as many as eight points throughout the first set.  Trailing 20-12, Dakota State went on a 5-0 run to trim VCSU's lead to 20-17 after a kill from Maddi Langerock (assisted by Sydney Schell).

The Vikings scored the next two points to extend their lead to 22-17 and forced the Trojans to burn their second timeout of the first set.

Dakota State answered with a 4-0 scoring run, highlighted by a block from Sydney Schell as the Trojans trailed 22-21.  Valley City State scored the next two points with back-to-back kills by Mardi Scutchings to set up a set point at 24-21.

Madalyn Groft smashed a kill to save one set point chance as DSU trailed 24-22.  Bailey Nelson closed the first set with a kill for 25-22 VCSU victory and 1-0 match lead.

The Trojans outhit the Vikings 17-16 in the opening set.  Dakota State registered a .241 hitting percentage (four attack errors in 54 swings) compared to Valley City State .204 hitting efficiency (five errors in 54 attempts).

DSU and VCSU went through eight ties early in the second set.  Leading 11-10, the Vikings went on a 9-2 scoring tear to widen their lead to 20-12 after back-to-back kills by Freije.

The Vikings never trailed for the rest of the second set, securing a 25-16 victory.  Valley City State extended their match lead to 2-0, thanks to their .292 hitting percentage with 18 kills and four attack errors in 48 attempts.  DSU hit .175 in the second set (10 kills with three errors in 40 attempts).

Valley City State roared to a 13-2 lead in the third set after pounding out seven kills during the scoring run.  The Vikings never trailed as they cruised to a 25-13 victory and notched a 3-0 match victory.

VCSU outhit DSU 16-8 in the third set.  The Vikings hit .286 (four attack errors in 42 attempts) and limited the Trojans to .044 hitting percentage (six attack errors in 45 swings).

Schell led the Trojans with a double-double of 10 kills and collected 14 digs.  She surpassed Caitlin Pick (1,112 kills) for the sixth all-time kills with 1,121 kills.  Hannah Evans added six kills and six blocks.  Groft tallied 10 digs, seven set assists, and five kills. 

Langerock contributed a double-double of 22 set assists and 14 digs for Dakota State.  Kate VanRooyan led the defense with 22 digs.  Schell had three blocks.  Groft added two blocks.

Freije led the Vikings with 11 kills and hit .391.   She recorded three blocks.  Nelson added 10 kills.  Danielle Hagler and Emma Lucas each added eight kills.  Scutchings had seven kills and hit .333.

Hansen paced VCSU's offense attack with 41 set assists.  She posted a double-double with 13 digs.  Delani Clarke registered three service aces and 12 digs.  JayCee Richter collected 17 digs.  Reagan Bogenreif had 14 digs.  Ellie Rush added 10 digs and three assists.

Valley City State had 15 more kills than Dakota State (35 kills).  The Vikings hit .257 with 13 attack errors in 144 swings) compared to the Trojans .158 hitting percentage (13 attack errors in 139 attempts).

VCSU registered six service aces to DSU one service ace.  The Trojans tallied seven blocks, while the Vikings had five blocks.  Valley City State had one more dig than Dakota State (76-75).