September 18, 2024
This Week's Preview
MADISON, S.D. (Sept. 18, 2024)—The Dakota State University Trojan volleyball team (8-5 overall record, 0-0 North Star Athletic Association record, receiving votes—RV—in the 2024 NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll) opens their North Star conference schedule Friday evening against their traveling partner. The Trojans head to Gordon Lozier Athletic Center (1024 Bruin Blvd.) to take on Bellevue (Neb.) (12-2 overall record, 0-0 NSAA conference record, No. 8 in the national poll). First serve is set for 6 p.m.
The Trojans stay in Bellevue Saturday afternoon for a non-conference match with Kansas Wesleyan (9-4 overall record) of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The match is set for 1 p.m.
Dakota State remains on the road Tuesday evening as they play an in-state rival. DSU takes on Mount Marty (S.D.) (8-5 overall record) with the junior varsity match at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 7:30 p.m. The matches will be held at Cimpl Arena (1105 W. 8th Street) in Yankton.
DSU went 2-1 record in the last three matches, including four wins in the last five matches. The Trojans went 1-1 record in the Viterbo (Wis.) Tournament, earning a 3-0 sweep over Judson (Ill.) on Sept. 6 followed by a 3-1 setback to host-team No. 17 ranked Viterbo (Wis.) on Sept. 7. Dakota State earned a season series sweep of rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in four sets on Sept. 10.
Bellevue earned their eighth straight win after a 3-1 road victory at Dordt (Iowa) on Sept. 17. KWU earned a pair of victories on Sept. 18 to Mission and Sterling (Kan. MMU was swept by Hastings (Neb.) on Sept. 18.
Up Next: Dakota State concludes their month-long away from DSU Fieldhouse with another pair of road contests next weekend. The Trojans make a trek to Dickinson State (N.D.) next Friday (Sept. 26) and No. 3 ranked Jamestown (N.D.) next Saturday (Sept. 27) in the North Star Athletic Association action.
This Week's Quick Hits
+The North Star Athletic Association volleyball conference season officially began this week. Each conference member will be playing a total of 10 matches, playing home-and-away match with each member.
+Dakota State (S.D.) won the last meeting with Bellevue (Neb.) last season at DSU Fieldhouse, earning a season series split in the NSAA action.
+The Trojans are seeking for their first win at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center since Oct. 9, 2019, winning in a five-set thriller.
+DSU had won the last two meetings with Kansas Wesleyan, both meetings held at KWU's arena. The Trojans defeated the Coyotes in four sets in both meetings, most recently on Sept. 6, 2020.
+Dakota State is 1-0 record against members of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), defeating current No. 23 ranked McPherson (Kan.) in three straight sets in the Siouxland Invitational.
+DSU had won the last 12 meetings with in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.). The Trojans are 30-8 record in the last 38 meetings with the Lancers. DSU had won five straight road matches at MMU.
+The Trojan junior varsity team is 10-1 record this season, winning the previous four matches including a 3-2 thriller at Jamestown (N.D.). DSU swept Iowa Lakes CC and host-team Briar Cliff (Iowa) on Sept. 16.
K. VanRooyan collects third NSAA Defender-of-the-Week award
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 16, 2024)—Sophomore defensive specialist/libero
Kate VanRooyan collected her third North Star Athletic Association Defender of the Week honor at Dakota State (S.D.) this season.
She tallied a season-high 33 digs in Trojans' 3-1 road victory at rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Sept. 10. It was the first time since the 2014-15 season that DSU earned the season series sweep with DWU at home-and-away matches.
VanRooyan averaged an astounding 8.3 digs per set and did not commit a reception error in 14 receptions in DSU's lone match of the week. She also contributed five set assists.
VanRooyan leads the North Star Athletic Association in overall digs with 269 digs and digs per set with 5.5 digs per set for the Trojans.
Prior to this weekend matches, VanRooyan had accumulated 876 digs at Dakota State. She averages 5.3 digs per set during her career at DSU, playing in 44 matches and 165 sets.
(RV) Trojans split Viterbo tournament matches
La Crosse, Wis. (Sept. 6, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) used a balanced offense attack to begin their Viterbo (Wis.) Tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Judson (Ill.). It was the first ever meeting for both teams.
The Trojans won by the set scores of 25-19, 27-25, and 25-11 for their third consecutive 3-0 victories. DSU highlighted the match by hitting .289 and held Judson to .131 hitting efficiency. The Trojans outhit JU 44-37.
Seven different DSU players recorded at least two hits in the match, led by
Brooklyn Grage with 10 kills. She registered .364 hitting percentage. She collected four blocks.
Sydney Schell added eight kills.
Macey Wathen and
Tristyn Maras each had seven kills
Hailey Wathen had six kills. Madelyn Groft produced a double-double of 13 set assists and 10 digs. Maddie Langerock had 12 assists and five digs.
Kate VanRooyan collected 16 digs and recorded three service aces. Schell had 12 digs.
Dakota State fell short to former North Star's foe No. 17 ranked Viterbo (Wis.) in four sets. The V-Hawks won by the set scores of 25-18, 25-21, 19-25 and 25-17.
Tristyn Maras smashed a season-high 12 kills for the Trojans. H. Wathen and Grage each added 10 kills. Grage had five blocks. Groft produced a double-double of 23 set assists and 13 digs. Langerock added 15 assists. VanRooyan had 18 digs.
Viterbo outhit Dakota State 59-48 in the match. The V-Hawks hit .220 compared to the Trojans .155 hitting efficiency. VU collected 13 blocks to DSU eight blocks.
DSU wins season series with rival DWU Tigers
Mitchell, S.D. (Sept. 10, 2024)—Dakota State (S.D.) completed their season series sweep of rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), winning home and away matches for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The Trojans won by the set scores of 25-14, 25-27, 25-22, and 25-18 at Christian Family Athletic Center.
Sydney Schell powered the Trojans with a double-double of 15 kills and 24 digs in the match. She hit .289 and added three set assists.
Hailey Wathen tied a season-high 12 kills and collected nine digs.
Tristyn Maras and
Brooklyn Grage each added nine kills. Grage had six blocks.
Madalyn Groft tied a season-high 27 set assists and recorded six digs for DSU. Maddie Langerock had a double-double of 15 assists and 11 digs.
Kate VanRooyan had a season-high 33 digs.
Reagan VanRooyan added a career-high 14 digs.
Macey Wathen had a carer-high nine blocks.
Hannah Evans had five blocks.
DSU outhit DWU 54-50 in the match. The Trojans hit .161 and held the Tigers to .102 hitting percentage. Dakota State tallied 15 blocks and held Dakota Wesleyan to six blocks. DSU had a season-high 105 digs.
Looking ahead to October as Trojans return home
Madison, S.D. (Sept. 18, 2024)—After playing at Dickinson State (N.D.) and No. 3 ranked Jamestown (N.D.) next weekend, Dakota State (S.D.) returns home to DSU Fieldhouse on Oct. 2 versus Valley City State (N.D.). It will be the first time since Aug. 28 that the Trojans play at home. DSU is 1-1 record at home this season, despite a 3-1 setback to (RV) Morningside (Iowa) on Aug. 28.
DSU hosts Mayville State (N.D.) in another North Star match, ending the first half of the conference schedule on Saturday, Oct. 5. This match will be designated as the annual 'Dig Pink' night, with the junior varsity match at 11 a.m. and varsity match at 1 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.
After playing in the Marvel Classic on Oct. 12, DSU comes back home for their final three home regular-season matches. The Trojans host Bellevue (Neb.) on Oct. 17, Jamestown on Oct. 25, and Dickinson State on Oct. 26.
DSU's junior varsity squad wraps up their home schedule in a triangular on Oct. 28.
2024 DSU Trojan Volleyball Team Leaders
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