October 28, 2023

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) trailed 2-1 to Dickinson State (N.D.) after three sets Saturday afternoon at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans held the Blue Hawks to 13 total kills in the final two sets, surviving a five-set North Star Athletic Association thriller.  It was the final road volleyball contest this season for the Trojans.

Dakota State (DSU) improved their overall record to 14-14 and 5-6 record in league play.  The Trojans earned their eighth win in the last nine matches with the Blue Hawks, completing the season series sweep.  Dickinson State (DiSU) dropped their overall record to 1-21 and 1-9 NSAA conference record. 

DSU ends their regular season schedule and North Star Athletic Association action next Saturday (Nov. 4) at DSU Fieldhouse, hosting Mayville State (N.D.) as part of Senior Day.  The junior varsity match starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the varsity contest at 12:30 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Dickinson State (N.D.) 2 – FINAL (25-14, 19-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-9)

The Trojans smashed nine kills to spark an 11-3 opening lead in the first set.  The Blue Hawks answered with a 5-0 run to trim DSU's lead to 11-8.

Dakota State would shut down Dickinson State with a 14-6 closing run, capped by a kill from Maddi Langerock for a 25-16 victory.

DSU outhit DiSU 16-9 in the first set.  The Trojans hit an impressive .424, committing two attack errors in 33 swings.  Dickinson State was limited to .077 hitting efficiency with six attack errors in 39 attempts.

The Trojans and Blue Hawks went through a see-saw battle in the second set.  DiSU pulled away as they led 14-9 after a quick 4-1 run.  DSU could get no closer than three points on several occasions as DiSU held on to a 25-19 victory to even the match at 1-1.

Dickinson State smashed 18 kills in the second set and held Dakota State to nine kills.

The Blue Hawks pulled away in the third set with a 5-0 run to expand their lead to 15-9 after holding a slim 10-9 lead, capped by a kill from Madi Wahl.

Dakota State mounted a comeback with a 4-0 scoring run, highlighted by a kill from Sydney Schell, a service ace from Reagan VanRooyan, and a kill by Keira Murdock.  The Trojans trimmed the Blue Hawks' lead to 19-16 in the third set.

DSU could get no closer than two points after a 3-0 scoring run, capped by Madalyn Groft's kill as the Trojans trailed 23-21.  Dickinson State closed the third set with a kill by Makayh Albrecht followed by Wahl's kill for a 25-21 victory.  The Blue Hawks grabbed a 2-1 match lead.

The Trojans collected 16 kills in the third set with a .238 hitting percentage (six errors in 42 attempts).  DiSU registered 14 kills and .308 hitting efficiency (two attack errors in 39 swings).

Dakota State kicked off the fourth set with a quick 3-0 run after a kill each from Brooklyn Grage and Groft.  The Trojans never trailed in the fourth set, forcing the fifth and deciding set after a 25-17 victory.

DSU outhit DiSU 13-8 in the fourth set.  The Trojans hit .158 (seven attack errors in 38 attempts) and held the Blue Hawks to .029 hitting percentage (seven attack errors in 35 attempts).

Dakota State roared with a 5-0 scoring run to break a 2-2 tie into a 7-2 lead in the fifth set.  The Trojans stretched their lead to 10-4 after using a 3-0 run.

DSU ballooned their lead to 14-7 after Murdock's kill, setting up the match point opportunity.  After the Blue Hawks scored the next two points, Groft smashed a kill to close the match for a 15-9 set five victory for the Trojans.

Dakota State put together an offensive explosion in the deciding sit with 11 kills and committed just one attack error in 23 swings (.435 hitting percentage).  Dickinson State was held to a .125 hitting percentage with five kills and two attack errors in 24 attempts.

Grage sparked the Trojans' offense attack with 18 kills.  She hit .261 in the match and collected three blocks.  Schell produced a double-double of 16 kills and 18 digs.  She surpassed the fifth all-time kills leader, previously held by Stephanie Kruggel with 1,122 kills (Schell – 1,137 career kills).

Groft contributed a triple-double of 12 kills, 13 set assists, and 18 digs for Dakota State.  Maddi Langerock posted 35 set assists and eight digs.  Macey Wathen had seven kills.

Kate VanRooyan paced DSU's defense with 27 digs.  Reagan VanRooyan added six digs.  Wathen and Hannah Evans each had two blocks.

Brooklyn Wylliee paced the Blue Hawks with 20 kills and hit .313 in the match.  McKenzie Moser added 15 kills.  Wahl had seven kills.

Bailey Pearch collected a double-double of 37 set assists and 15 digs for Dickinson State.  McKenzie Moser and Haydin Henschel each had 13 digs.  JoAnna Fleckenstein had 10 digs.  Pearcy and Abigail Suiter each registered two blocks.

Dakota State smashed 65 kills in the match compared to Dickinson State 54 kills.  The Trojans produced a hitting percentage of .260 (20 attack errors in 173 swings), while the Blue Hawks hit .169 (23 attack errors in 183 attempts).

DSU had seven blocks to DiSU six blocks.  The Trojans collected 85 digs compared to the Blue Hawks 73 digs.