September 13, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally ranked No. 24 Dakota State (S.D.) volleyball protected its home court Saturday afternoon, sweeping Rocky Mountain (Mont.) in straight sets at the DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans improved to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the Frontier Conference, while the Battlin' Bears dropped to 0-9 and 0-5 in league play.

Dakota State was playing as a ranked team on their home court for the first time in program history.  The Trojans completed their weekend with a pair of 3-0 sweeps (defeated RV Carroll, Mont., on Friday). Set One Highlights
The opening set showcased the resilience of both squads. Rocky Mountain jumped ahead with early kills from Sadie Meier and Josie West, building a cushion as DSU battled attack errors.  DSU trailed 19-11 before mounting a furious rally. Behind timely kills from Sophie Tuttle and Tristyn Maras, the Trojans forced extra points. A service ace by Kate VanRooyan swung momentum, and DSU sealed the set 29-27 when Rocky's West committed an attack error.
  Set Two Highlights
The Battlin' Bears led 19-12 after a flurry of kills from Kaitlyn Wood and Ella Kincaid. But the Trojans refused to fold. Maddi Langerock again orchestrated a balanced attack, feeding Lauryn Kloth, who powered home several key kills. A timeout by Rocky couldn't stop DSU's 13-3 closing run. Bruflat, Kloth, and Maras delivered three straight kills, capped by Bruflat hammering the final point for a 25-22 comeback win.
  Set Three Highlights
The Trojans hit .353 in the frame, committing just two errors. The Trojans closed the match with a convincing 25-14 victory.
  Match Leaders

• Dakota State:
  • Lauryn Kloth – 11 kills, .500 hitting, 2 blocks, 12.0 points
  • Sophie Tuttle – 14 kills, 3 digs, 14.0 points
  • Macey Wathen – 10 kills, 10.5 points
  • Maddi Langerock – 44 assists, 14 digs, 7 kills
  • Daynica Witzel – 11 digs
  • Tristyn Maras - 10 kills, 1 block
  • Team totals – 62 kills, .253 hitting, 74 digs, 67 points
• Rocky Mountain:
  • Josie West – 11 kills, 14 digs
  • Kaitlyn Wood – 9 kills, .429 hitting, 3 blocks
  • Sadie Meier – 7 kills
  • Ella Kincaid – 13 assists, 7 kills
  • Zoey Albert – 20 digs, 1 ace

Key Notes

• Dakota State rallied from six points down in both the first and second sets.
• The Trojans finished with four players in double-digit kills (Kloth, Tuttle, Wathen, Maras).
• Langerock surpassed 1,000 career digs after this weekend's victories.

Up Next
Dakota State stays home next weekend as they continue their Frontier Conference play.  The Trojans host (RV) Montana Western Friday at 5:30 p.m.  Jersey Night is the theme for the volleyball match.

DSU wraps up their four-match home stand versus No. 21 ranked Montana Tech next Saturday at 2 p.m.  Hawaiian is the theme for the match.