October 10, 2026
DICKINSON, N.D. — Dakota State (S.D.) bounced back from a fourth setback Saturday afternoon, dominating the decisive fifth set to earn a thrilling 3-2 Frontier Conference women's volleyball victory over Dickinson State (N.D.) at Scott Gymnasium. The Trojans completed their regular-season sweep of the Blue Hawks, completing their four-road road trip with two consecutive wins.
The Trojans won by scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25 and 15-7, improving their overall record to 11-8 and 8-5 in Frontier Conference play. The Blue Hawks fell to 6-14 overall and 5-8 in the league.
How it happened
Dickinson State jumped ahead 8-5 before Dakota State rallied to overtake the opening set lead at 9-8. The Trojans gained momentum behind their offensive attack and service game, building a 14-11 lead after a service ace by
Macey Wathen and a kill by Van Beek.
Dakota State extended its advantage to 20-13 after consecutive kills by Kloth. The Trojans eventually reached set point at 24-14 before Dickinson State scored six consecutive points to cut the deficit to 24-20.
Wathen ended the Blue Hawks' rally with a kill, assisted by Nelson, securing a 25-20 opening-set victory.
The Trojans registered 14 kills in the first set while limiting Dickinson State to a .086 hitting percentage (12 kills with 7 errors in 58 swings).
The Blue Hawks responded with a strong start in the second set, racing to a 10-2 advantage.
Dakota State gradually worked its way back into contention, trimming the deficit to 15-13. Dickinson State maintained its advantage and extended the lead to 20-16.
The Trojans continued battling, pulling within 23-21 after a kill by Kloth. However, Dickinson State closed the set with consecutive points, including a kill by Rylee Kogolshak, to even the match at one set apiece.
Dickinson State recorded 17 kills and a .208 hitting percentage in the second set, while Dakota State finished with 12 kills.
Dickinson State opened the third set with five consecutive points before Dakota State rallied to overtake the lead at 9-8.
The teams exchanged leads throughout the set. Dakota State gained a narrow 20-19 advantage before Dickinson State battled back to take a 22-21 lead.
A service error by the Blue Hawks tied the set at 22-22.
Macey Wathen and
Annika Cantrell combined for a block to put the Trojans ahead 23-22.
After Dickinson State tied the score again, Dakota State benefited from a Blue Hawks service error to reach set point at 24-23.
Wathen delivered the decisive kill, assisted by Nelson, to secure a 25-23 victory and give the Trojans a 2-1 match lead.
The fourth set featured another closely contested battle as Dakota State looked to close out the match.
The Trojans held a narrow 16-14 advantage during the middle stages before Dickinson State rallied to move ahead 22-20.
Dakota State answered with consecutive points, including a kill by Van Beek, to tie the score at 22-22.
After the Blue Hawks regained the lead, Dickinson State committed an attack error to tie the set at 23-23.
However, the Blue Hawks closed the set with a kill by Ashtynn Egan and a Dakota State attack error, winning 25-23 and forcing a deciding fifth set.
Dakota State delivered its strongest offensive performance of the match in the deciding set.
The Trojans established control with a 11-4 advantage after a 5-0 scoring run, combining timely kills with strong defensive play.
Dakota State extended its lead to 13-5 after consecutive kills by
Tristyn Maras and
Kaedyn Sapp.
Kloth added a kill to give the Trojans match point at 14-6. After Dickinson State scored once more, Wathen and Sapp combined for a block to seal the 15-7 victory.
Dakota State registered 10 kills with only two attack errors in the final set, hitting .296. The Trojans held Dickinson State to four kills and a .040 hitting percentage in the deciding frame.
Inside the box score
Dakota State produced 61 kills, 113 digs, eight blocks and six service aces in the five-set battle.
Maras led Dakota State's offense with a match-high 17 kills and a .234 hitting percentage. She also contributed three block assists.
Wathen, Kloth and
Raya Van Beek each registered 10 kills. Wathen hit .250 and led the Trojans at the net with seven block assists, while Kloth recorded a .269 hitting percentage.
Kate VanRooyan anchored Dakota State's back-row defense with 28 digs and two service aces.
Sydney Wathen added 22 digs and
Reagan VanRooyan collected 21.
Nelson led Dakota State with 28 assists, 11 digs and two service aces. Borresen added 19 assists and 10 digs.
Kate VanRooyan led the Trojans with 28 digs and two service aces.
Sydney Wathen followed with 22 digs, while
Reagan VanRooyan added 21 digs and one service ace.
Macie Wheeler led Dickinson State with 14 kills on 30 attempts, producing a match-best .400 hitting percentage. She also contributed five block assists.
Carmen Pallone and Egan each finished with 12 kills. Pallone recorded eight block assists and one service ace, while Egan contributed 15 digs.
Aubrey Allison added nine kills and 15 digs, while Cameron Gouw recorded five kills and four total blocks.
Kogolshak directed the Blue Hawks' offense with 43 assists, 21 digs, four kills and three block assists.
Geraldyne Fernandez led all players with 37 digs.
Dickinson State finished with 59 kills and a .135 hitting percentage. The Blue Hawks registered 49 assists, two service aces, 118 digs and 14 total blocks.
Up next
Dakota State returns home next week for a three-match Frontier home stand at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans host the league's leader and NAIA's No. 7 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) in the annual Dig Pink match at 6 p.m.
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