MADISON, S.D. — The Tigers’ hot start to the 2026 season rolled on as they traveled northeast for a matchup against in-state, out-of-conference rival Dakota State.
The DSU Fieldhouse was rocking as the Trojan fans showed up in big numbers for their home opener, but the No. 16 Tigers were able to quiet the noise quickly, jumping out to a 5-2 lead, including an ace from GPAC Setter-of-the-Week Kayleigh Hybertson. DWU eventually extended its lead to 11-5 with great defense forcing Dakota State to call a timeout. The Trojans responded well after the timeout, grabbing three kills and an ace to cut the lead to three at 15-12. The Tigers turned things around and, after great defense at the net and major offensive production from Keatyn Liebsack, took a commanding 20-14 lead. DWU was able to cruise through the rest of the frame thanks to aces by Presley Pastian and Abby Zegar, and would claim the first set by a score of 25-18. Karly VanDerWerff made major contributions on the offensive end with 13 total kills, which would be matched by Liebsack through four sets.
Dakota State got off to a fast start in the second frame and was able to control the lead in its early stages. The Tigers were able to swing momentum back in their favor by rattling off five straight points to take an 8-5 lead, thanks to two kills each by Madisyn Grimsrud and Liebsack. DSU found their footing off the back of a couple of DWU errors, eventually taking the lead 14-13, but after trading tightly contested points, DWU was able to pull back ahead, 22-17. The offense was aided by service aces from Lizzie Tyler and Presly Pastian, but their impacts would mainly be felt on defense, as the pair combined for 27 total digs through the four-set contest. A block from VanDerWerff and Hybertson gave DWU set point, and they capitalized on the next play to win the second set 25-18. The Tigers’ defense was stifling, seeing Dakota State’s attack percentage limited to just .135, along with more contributions in the dig category from Hybertson, who posted 13 in total, and Zegar, who led the team with 18 of her own. Hybertson was also able to tally 50 total assists as the main distributor for the Tigers.
Similar to the second set, the third frame saw the rival squads trade tightly contested points, and after more excellent stands at the net, the Tigers were able to take their first lead of the set at 6-5. Dakota State and Dakota Wesleyan continued to trade points until the Trojans caught fire, taking a 16-13 lead, forcing DWU to call their first timeout of the game. The Tigers were unable to claw back, and the Trojans were able to force a fourth set by a score of 25-19, bringing the match to 2-1, still in favor of DWU. The Tigers would prove to be unfazed by the frame, however, as they jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the fourth set. After leading 12-7, DWU found themselves in a hole as the Trojans rallied eight straight points to take a 15-12 lead, but out of the timeout, the Tigers were able to get back in rhythm. The Tigers battled back and after a clutch dig by Tyler, the Trojan lead was minimized to just one point at 20-19. DWU tied the lead at 22 thanks to a kill by Grimsrud, and after an attack error by DSU, the Tigers reclaimed the lead. Grimsrud followed it up on offense with another kill to set up match point. DSU would bring the score to 24-23 after a challenge from DWU was unable to be overturned, but Evy Knoblock was able to seal the set and match at 25-23 with a blazing kill to bring her total to 11 on the day.
Grimsrud’s 18 kills not only led the Tigers in the category, but also stand as a new career-high for the sophomore out of Watertown, South Dakota, topping her previous total of 15 from earlier in the season and at the end of the 2025 campaign, ultimately helping DWU reach an 8-1 record in the month of August.
The Tigers will travel to Omaha, Nebraska, for their next slate of contests on September 4th as they compete in the CSM Labor Day Classic.