DWU Volleyball takes first GPAC win of 2015
MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team has found it tough to claim Great Plains Athletic Conference victories in recent years.
The Tigers won just one GPAC match in the two seasons, prior to 2015 and had not beat a conference team other than Mount Marty College since topping Concordia University midway through the 2012 season.
DWU is turning a corner and it was evident with a four-set win over Morningside College Saturday at the Christen Family Athletic Center. The Tigers topped the Mustangs 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, 25-20 to improve to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in the GPAC.
The win was DWU's first over Morningside since the Mustangs joined the GPAC in 2003.
The Tigers were once again led on offense by junior outside hitter Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) who finished with a match-high 13 kills to go along with nine digs. Junior Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.) had a couple of huge kills for the Tigers late in the final set to close out the win. She finished with 10 kills and 11 digs for a double-double. Junior Dana Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) chipped in with nine kills in the win.
The DWU offense was orchestrated by junior Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) with 40 assists, while junior Emily Pengilly (Watertown, S.D.) and senior Maggie Stehly (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 13 and 12 digs, respectively. Junior Sammy Fluck (Becker, Minn.) had the block to seal the win for the Tigers. She finished with four total blocks and five kills.
Morningside (4-9, 0-3 GPAC) was led by Jayde Bergmann with 12 kills.
The Tigers continue GPAC play against No. 11 Northwestern College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Orange City, Iowa.
