October 14, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off their three-match home stand Wednesday evening, knocking off No. 7 ranked and Frontier Conference's women's volleyball leader Bellevue (Neb.) in four sets at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans defeated the Bruins by scores of 25-20, 18-25, 25-20, and 25-21 in the annual Dig Pink night.
It was the first home victory for DSU over Bellevue since Oct. 10, 2023.
Dakota State improved to 12-8 overall and 9-5 in Frontier Conference play, while Bellevue fell to 17-3 overall and 13-1 in conference action. The victory handed the Bruins their first Frontier Conference loss of the season, ending their 14-match winning streak.
How it happened
Dakota State opened the match with an aggressive offensive attack, hitting .283 with 18 kills and five attack errors on 46 attempts.
The Trojans jumped to a 9-4 advantage, highlighted by a service ace from
Reagan VanRooyan and kills from
Kaedyn Sapp and
Raya Van Beek. DSU continued its momentum and extended its lead to 19-11.
Bellevue mounted a late rally, trimming Dakota State's lead to 23-19. The Trojans maintained their composure, however, as
Lauryn Kloth delivered the set-winning kill to give DSU a 1-0 match lead.
Bellevue responded in the second set, overcoming an early 3-1 deficit. The Bruins gradually built their advantage and pulled away for a seven-point victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Bellevue hit .278 in the second set with 13 kills and three errors on 36 attempts. Dakota State registered 13 kills but committed nine attack errors, finishing with a .108 hitting percentage.
The Trojans regained their offensive rhythm in the third set, collecting 16 kills on 48 attempts.
Dakota State built a 15-9 advantage and later extended its lead to 20-14. The Bruins attempted to rally, but DSU maintained control down the stretch.
Macey Wathen delivered the set-winning kill on an assist from Borresen, giving Dakota State a 2-1 match lead.
The fourth set featured another competitive battle as both teams fought for momentum, featuring 13 ties and seven lead changes. Trailing 15-12, Bellevue rallied to tie the score at 15-15 and eventually grabbed a 16-15 advantage.
Dakota State responded down the stretch, using its offensive balance to regain control. The Trojans went on a 5-0 scoring run to regain their lead to 20-16.
BU rallied with a 5-1 scoring run to knot the fourth set at 21-21. Dakota State went on to close the match with four straight points, sparked by three consecutive kills by three different hitters (M. Wathen, Kloth, and
Tristyn Maras).Â
The match concluded with a Bellevue attack error, securing Dakota State's four-set upset victory.
The Trojans finished the set with 16 kills and a .220 hitting percentage, while holding the Bruins to .149 hitting efficiency (12 kills with 5 errors in 47 swings).
Inside the box score
Sapp powered the Trojans' offensive attack with a match-high 16 kills, recording a .244 hitting percentage on 45 attempts. Van Beek added 11 kills and two block assists, while Kloth contributed nine kills and a team-best .364 hitting percentage with just one attack error in 22 swings.
Tristyn Maras added nine kills, followed by
Rylee Thompson and
Macey Wathen with seven kills apiece.
Dakota State's defense was anchored by
Kate VanRooyan, who collected match-high 26 digs and added six set assists and a service ace.
Sydney Wathen and
Gabi Borresen each recorded 13 digs, while
Emily Nelson added eight.
Nelson led the Trojans with 24 set assists, while Borresen contributed 22 assists. Both setters also contributed offensively, with Nelson recording three kills on three attempts and Borresen adding a service ace.
The Trojans finished with 63 kills and a .204 hitting percentage (26 attack errors), compared to Bellevue's 47 kills and .176 hitting percentage (17 attack errors). Dakota State also held an 87-77 advantage in digs and a 56-44 edge in set assists.
Up next
Dakota State continues their Frontier Conference home stand Friday evening versus Carroll (Mont.). The match is set for 5 p.m. at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojan volleyball team will hold their Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night with ice cream floats in the lobby prior to the match. Hawaiian / Beach will be the volleyball theme.
