August 19, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Two Dakota State (S.D.) athletes collected the first edition of the 2024 North Star Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Players-of-the-Week honors, announced by the conference office Monday.  Sydney Schell was named as the Attacker-of-the-Week, while Kate VanRooyan was selected as the Defender-of-the-Week. 

Dakota State, receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, went 2-2 record in the Keiser (Fla.) Vipers Sports Academy Classic in West Palm Beach on Aug. 16-17.  The Trojans earned a season-opening thriller over Campbellsville (Ky.) in five sets before falling to No. 19 ranked St. Thomas (Fla.) on Aug. 16.  DSU closed the tournament with a 3-2 setback to No. 11 ranked Missouri Baptist and swept Taylor (Ind.) in three straight sets on Aug. 17.

Schell, a 5-foot-8 senior outside hitter, smashed 17 kills and posted a double-double with 17 digs in DSU's victory over Campbellsville.  She also highlighted the tournament with another double-double with 23 kills and 16 digs, despite falling to Missouri Baptist. 

Schell produced double digits in digs in all four matches for the Trojans.  She finished the tournament by accumulating 54 kills (3.4 kills per set) and 58 digs (3.6 digs per set).  She added nine blocks in the tournament.

Sydney is a native of Aberdeen, S.D., and majors in cyber operations at Dakota State University.  She is a three-time North Star Athletic Association All-Conference selection, being on the First Team recipient in the past two seasons.

VanRooyan, a 5-foot-5 sophomore defensive specialist, paced the Trojans' defense with 80 total digs in the tournament.  She averaged 6.0 digs per set.  In addition, she contributed 16 set assists (1.0 assist per set) and two service aces.

VanRooyan highlighted the tournament with 31 digs (6.2 digs per set) in DSU's 3-2 season-opening victory over Campbellsville.  She registered double digits in digs in all four matches.

She recorded 77 total receptions and committed just two errors in the tournament, posting a .974 reception rate.

VanRooyan is a native of Dakota Dunes, S.D.  She majors in general studies at DSU.  She was the North Star Athletic Association Freshman-of-the-Year last season, as well as NSAA All-Conference Second Team recipient.

Dakota State (2-2 overall record) plays their home opener Saturday afternoon, hosting rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  There will be a junior varsity match at 1 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 3 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.