November 8, 2023

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) held its women's volleyball awards night on the eve of the 2023 conference postseason tournament.  The awards were held at the Goss Opera House in downtown Watertown, where three Dakota State (S.D.) received honors during the presentation.

Sydney Schell, junior outside hitter from Aberdeen, S.D., received the NSAA Women's Volleyball First Team All-Conference for the second straight year.  She became a three-time NSAA All-Conference section (Second Team All-Conference in 2021-22).

Prior to Dakota State's quarterfinal match versus Mayville State (N.D.) Thursday evening at Watertown Civic Arena, Schell leads the team with 360 total kills this season and averages 3.6 kills per set.  She collected 322 digs (3.2 digs per set) and 49 blocks for the Trojans. 

Schell ranks third overall in the North Star in kills per set and total kills.  She is also third in the conference with 3.2 kills per set during NSAA contests.  She registered a hitting percentage of .228 during the league and ranked 10^th overall in the conference with a .224 hitting percentage.

She is currently in the Top 5 all-time kills at Dakota State.  She had produced numerous double-doubles (kills and digs) this season.

Freshman Kate VanRooyan, 5-foot-5 defensive specialist from Dakota Dunes, S.D., was honored as NSAA Second Team All-Conference for Dakota State.  She was also awarded as the NSAA Women's Volleyball Freshman-of-the-Year.

VanRooyan is second overall in the North Star Athletic Association in total digs with 553 digs and averaged 5.2 digs per set for Dakota State.  She is also second in the North Star with 5.6 digs per set during conference play.  VanRooynan had posted double digits in digs in the last 28 matches for the Trojans.

Madalyn Groft was named to the 2023 North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Champions of Character recipient.  Through the NAIA Champions of Character program, NSAA institutions provide training for student-athletes and professional development for coaches and staff by emphasizing the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

Dakota State (15-14 overall record, 6-6 NSAA conference record) is the No. 4 seed for the 2023 North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Postseason Tournament Thursday evening.  The second quarterfinal match's first serve is slated for 6 p.m. at Watertown Civic Arena in Watertown, S.D. 

Third-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) and sixth-seeded Waldorf (Iowa) get underway with the first quarterfinal match at 4 p.m. Thursday.  Top-seeded Viterbo (Wis.) and second-seeded Valley City State (N.D.) received the opening round bye and will play on Friday night in the semifinals round.