October 8, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – In a five-set battle between two Frontier Conference's teams to kick off the second half of the conference schedule, (RV) Dakota State pushed No. 8 Bellevue (Neb.) to the limit before the Bruins escaped the DSU Fieldhouse with a 3-2 (24-26, 27-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5) victory. 

The Bruins handed the Trojans their first Frontier Conference home defeat this season.  DSU is 11-6 overall record and 7-5 record in the Frontier Conference.  BU lifted their overall record to 14-3 and 10-2 record in the league.
  Set 1 Highlights
The Trojans came out firing, hitting .372 behind 19 kills while holding Bellevue to a late rally that fell short. Sophie Tuttle, Tristyn Maras, and Macey Wathen powered DSU's attack, with Wathen and Tuttle combining for key points in the closing stretch as DSU erased multiple ties and sealed the opener 26-24.

Set 2 Highlights
Bellevue bounced back in a back-and-forth frame that featured 10 ties. Eve Fountain and Kealy Kiviniemi led the Bruins' front-row attack as they overcame a mid-set DSU lead to edge the Trojans 27-25 and even the match 1-1.

Set 3 Highlights
The Bruins' offense hit a match-high .412 with 18 kills and just four errors, flipping momentum their way. Despite five kills from Sophie Tuttle, Dakota State could not keep pace as Bellevue took a 2-1 match lead.

Set 4 Highlights
The Trojans refused to back down, putting together a balanced attack led by Maras and Wathen while hitting .257 as a team. Setter Maddi Langerock spread the offense to four different hitters in double figures, forcing a deciding fifth set after a 25-21 win.

Set 5 Highlights
Bellevue took control early, using a 9-1 run sparked by Eve Fountain and A'Lailah Perry to grab a 10-3 lead. The Bruins hit .500 in the final frame with nine kills on 18 swings, while DSU struggled offensively (minus .050) to close out the marathon match.
  Team Leaders – Dakota State

• Sophie Tuttle: 21 kills (career high), .222 hitting percentage, 8 digs
• Tristyn Maras: 14 kills, .364 hitting, 3 blocks
• Macey Wathen: 12 kills, 3 blocks, 5 digs
• Halle Bruflat: 9 kills, 4 digs
• Maddi Langerock: 49 assists, 13 digs
• Kate VanRooyan: 13 digs, 2 service aces
• Team Totals: 65 kills, .207 hitting percentage, 74 digs, 6 service aces, 6 blocks

Team Leaders – #8 Bellevue

• Eve Fountain: 22 kills, .340 hitting, 12 digs, 2 blocks
• Kealy Kiviniemi: 13 kills, .303 hitting, 3 blocks
• Savanna Berger: 12 kills, .360 hitting, 3 blocks
• A'Lailah Perry: 9 kills, 4 blocks
• Mila Aiwohi & Jada Nunn: combined 62 assists, 3 aces
• Zoie Roghair: 23 digs as libero
• Team Totals: 73 kills, .279 hitting, 79 digs, 11 blocks

By the Numbers

• Total Points: Bellevue 88 – Dakota State 77
• Attack Pct.: Bellevue .279 | Dakota State .207
• Blocks: Bruins 11 | Trojans 6
• Service Aces: DSU 6 | BU 4
• Digs: Bellevue 79 | DSU 74

Up Next
Dakota State continues their season-high Frontier Conference five-match home stand Friday evening, hosting Bismarck State (N.D.).  The match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse.