MADISON, S.D. — RV Dakota Wesleyan Volleyball squared off against the RV Dakota State Trojans in Madison in what was an intense back-and-forth battle.
The Tigers would start the competition on the back foot as the Trojans would hold on to their lead through the entire first set, with Dakota State finding answers for DWU’s attack early on. Even still, the Tigers battled through the first frame, led offensively by Karly VanDerWerff, who would register 17 total kills in five sets. DWU would drop the first set 20-25, but would secure two-straight set wins by identical scores of 25-22. The rest of the offense would heat up, with Emily Dale and Evy Knoblock tallying 10 kills apiece, while reigning GPAC Setter of the Week, Kayleigh Hybertson, would record 48 total assists during the match.
After going up two sets to one, the Trojans would storm back into the contest to force a fifth set, winning the fourth frame 15-25. Defensively, the Tigers would find production from Elizabeth Tyler, who recorded 25 digs to lead DWU, and Presly Pastian, who registered 15 of her own. Five total Tigers registered double-digit digs, with Hybertson recording 10 to reach another double-double mark this season. Dakota Wesleyan needed all of its firepower in tandem as the fifth and final set rolled around, and the team was up to the task.
The final frame tested both teams, but the Tigers would grow their lead to a comfortable 10-5 score. The Trojans would put together one final rally, bringing it within one point, but a kill from Knoblock would get Dakota Wesleyan back in the driver’s seat, winning the final set 15-11 in a thrilling out-of-conference rivalry contest that lived up to expectations.
DWU Volleyball will be back in action for its home opener against Waldorf on Saturday, September 6th, at 3:00 PM.