November 16, 2024

Photo credit by Kuhlmann Photos

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) made their third appearance in the North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Postseason Tournament's championship match Saturday afternoon at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.  The third-seeded Trojans fell short to the host-team and No. 1 seed Bellevue (Neb.) in three straight sets, closing the North Star's volleyball 11-year era.

The Bruins won with set scores of 25-15, 25-19, and 25-23.  Bellevue received the North Star automatic's bid to the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament's Opening Round, which is set for Nov. 23.

DSU, receiving votes (RV) in the final edition of the NAIA's Top 25 national poll, fell to 18-12 overall record after the setback.  The Trojans highlighted with a new career all-time kill in the second set during the championship match.

Bellevue, ranked No. 5 in the national poll, extended their winning streak to 14 matches and lifted their overall record to 28-3.

Dakota State waits to hear from the NAIA national office Monday if they will receive an at-large invitation to the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament Opening Round.  The selection show is scheduled for 12 p.m.  DSU had secured signature victories over No. 3 ranked Jamestown (N.D.) in five-set thriller on Nov. 15 and swept McPherson (Kan.) in three straight sets, where they are currently ranked No. 16 in the final edition of the national poll.

(5) Bellevue (Neb.) 3, (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-15, 25-19, 25-23)

Sydney Schell smashed a kill followed by Hailey Wathen's kill to give DSU a 2-1 opening lead.  Bellevue then erupted for six straight points, ignited by back-to-back kills by Kealy Kiviniemi.  The Bruins led 7-2 after the scoring run, forcing the Trojans to call their first timeout.

Dakota State could get no closer than four points at 11-7 after Tristyn Maras' kill.  Bellevue then went on a 6-0 scoring run to balloon their lead to 17-7 after three straight kills from three different hitters (Sidney Sledge, Haley Fleischman, and Eve Fountain).

The Bruins secured the first set at 25-15 and earned a 1-0 match lead, thanks to their .382 hitting percentage (16 kills with three errors in 34 swings).  DSU was held to .086 hitting percentage (10 kills with seven errors in 35 attempts).

Leading 9-7, the Bruins went on a 4-0 scoring run to extend their lead to 13-7 after Fountain's kill.  The Trojans then went on a 6-2 run, thanks to a new career holder in total kills by Schell.  She broke Carly Rozell's all-time kills with 1,481 kills, smashing her 1,482^nd career kill at DSU and trailed 15-13.

Bellevue used another 4-0 scoring run, capped by a service ace by Victoria Runyan for a 19-13 lead and forced DSU to call a timeout.

The Trojans could get no closer than four points at 23-19 after Wathen's kill.  Fountain and Kenzie Polk closed the second set with a kill each, giving the Bruins a 25-19 victory and ballooned their match lead to 2-0.

Bellevue outhit Dakota State 17-10 in the second set.  The Bruins hit .333 (three errors in 42 attempts) compared to the Trojans .206 hitting percentage (three errors in 34 swings).

After a closely first 13 rallies in the third set, the Bruins scored three straight points to stretch their lead from 7-6 to 10-6.  The Bruins then widened their lead to 14-9 after Fountain's kill, forcing DSU to call a timeout.

Dakota State mounted a comeback to trim Bellevue's lead to 15-14 after a block from Hannah Evans and Schell.  At 21-20, the Bruins scored the next two points to earn a 23-20 lead followed by Trojans' two straight points to cut their deficit to 23-22 after Maras' kill.

Kiviniemi smashed a kill to set up a match point opportunity for Bellevue.  Schell followed up with a kill to save one match point for the Trojans, trailing 24-23.  Kiviniemi closed the match with a kill to secure a 25-23 victory and 3-0 win for the Bruins.

BU smashed 17 kills in the third set and hit .208 (seven errors in 48 swings).  DSU hit .146 with 14 kills and seven errors in 48 attempts.

Schell led the Trojans with a double-double of 11 kills and 10 digs.  She hit .226 in the match.  She accumulated 1,487 career kills at DSU after the match.  Macey Wathen and Maras each added six kills.  H. Wathen and Brooklyn Grage each tallied five kills. 

Maddi Langerock posted a double-double of 15 set assists and 10 digs for Dakota State.  Madalyn Groft added 11 assists and eight digs.  Kate VanRooyan tallied 12 digs and two set assists.  M. Wathen, Evans, and Maras each had three blocks.

Kiviniemi smashed 14 kills and hit .344 for Bellevue.  Sledge added 10 kills and hit .500.  Fountain and Polk each had nine kills.  Mila Aiwohi contributed 23 set assists and nine digs.  Runyan had 19 set assists and five digs.  Taylan Keefer collected 10 digs. 

BU outhit DSU 50-34 in the match.  The Bruins hit .298 (13 errors in 124 swings) compared to the Trojans. 145 hitting percentage (17 errors in 117 attempts).

Dakota State had six blocks to Bellevue four blocks.