September 27, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) held their opponents to below .100 hitting percentage for the second straight match, cruising to their first North Star Athletic Association victory this season Friday evening at Scott Gymnasium.  The Trojans posted their third straight 3-0 sweep, spoiling Dickinson State's (N.D.) season home debut by the set scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 25-17.

Dakota State, receiving votes (RV) in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 11-6 and 1-1 NSAA conference record.  Dickinson State fell to 4-11 overall record and winless in three NSAA conference matches.

The Trojans earned their fourth win in the last five matches.  DSU also earned their fourth straight win the series meeting with the Blue Hawks, as well as eighth win in the last nine meetings.

Dakota State continues their North Star action Saturday afternoon, visiting the NSAA's conference leader No. 3 ranked Jamestown (N.D.).  The first serve is set for 3 p.m. at Newman Arena in Jamestown, N.D., concluding DSU's month-long trip away from their home court.

(RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Dickinson State (N.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-22, 25-14, 25-17)

Sydney Schell smashed a kill on the opening play of the first set, sparking the Trojans to a 5-1 opening lead.

With Dakota State leading 10-6, the Blue Hawks went on a 6-1 scoring run to overtake the lead at 12-11 after DSU's attack error. 

Both teams went through a see-saw battle before the Trojans grabbed a 23-20 lead after Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri's block.  The Blue Hawks could get no closer than one point at 23-22 after a pair of kills from Madi Wahl and Scarlette Schwindt.

Hailey Wathen smashed a kill to earn a set point opportunity for Dakota State.  Brooklyn Grage closed the first set with a block as the Trojans secured a 25-22 victory for a 1-0 match lead.

Dickinson State outhit Dakota State 15-13 in the first set, but the Trojans hit better.  DSU registered a hitting percentage of .282 by committing just two attack errors in 39 swings.  DiSU hit .143 with nine attack errors in 42 attempts.

Leading 13-10 in the second set, Dakota State erupted for eight straight points for a 21-10 lead.  The Trojans' highlighted the scoring run with a pair of kills from Hailey Wathen and a block each from Vongkasemsiri and Macey Wathen.

M. Wathen smashed the second set with a kill for DSU's 25-14 victory, extending their match lead to 2-0.

Dakota State hit .242 in the second set with 11 kills and three errors in 33 attempts.  Dickinson State was held to .028 hitting percentage (9 kills with 8 errors in 36 attempts).

With the Trojans leading 11-8 in the third, Dakota State went on a 6-0 scoring run capped by a kill from H. Wathen to balloon their lead to 17-8.  The Trojans never trailed for the rest of the third set, securing the match victory after winning 25-17.

DSU outhit DiSU 14-9 in the third set.  The Trojans registered a hitting percentage of .167 (6 attack errors in 48 swings) compared to the Blue Hawks .050 hitting percentage (7 attack error sin 40 attempts).

Schell led Dakota State with a double-double of 12 kills and 10 digs.  H. Wathen added eight kills and hit .333.  M. Wathen had seven kills and two blocks.  Grage had six kills and four blocks.  Vongkasemsiri tallied three blocks. 

Madalyn Groft produced 16 set assists and six digs for the Trojans.  Maddi Langerock added nine set assists and six digs.  Kate VanRooyan collected seven digs.  VanRooyan, Langerock, and M. Wathen each recorded a service ace.

Wahl and Schwindt each had seven kills for Dickinson State.  Rylee Kogolshak contributed 26 set assists and six digs.  Aubrey Allison had 10 digs.  Abby Suiter registered four blocks.

Dakota State hit .225 in the match with 38 kills and committed 11 attack errors in 120 swings.  Dickinson State recorded 33 kills, committed 24 attack errors in 118 attempts for a hitting percentage of .076.

The Trojans had eight blocks to the Blue Hawks five blocks.