DWU Volleyball opens season with two wins at Grace

OMAHA, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team got off to a strong start to the 2016 season with a pair of wins at a triangular hosted by Grace University Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

The Tigers turned up the intensity late against Waldorf College in the opener to win in four sets and followed that up with a straight-set win over the host team to start the year 2-0. The Tigers topped Waldorf 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, while defeating Grace 25-13, 25-17, 25-15.

DWU was led by senior outside hitter Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) in the win over the Warriors with a match-high 20 kills to go along with 16 digs. Taking over at Libero for the Tigers this season is senior Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.). She posted a career-high 37 digs in the win over Waldorf in her new role.

Senior setter Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) orchestrated the DWU attack with 54 assists, while senior Dana Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) added 14 kills.

Against the host team, DWU controlled the action from the start thanks again to the passing of Van Epps who finished the match with 39 assists. Tadlock led the attack with 15 kills, while Misiaszek added 11. In her first match in a Tiger uniform in two years, junior Katie Vetch (Rapid City, S.D.) posted 10 kills against the Royals. Spence led the defense once again with 17 digs.

The Tigers open the 2016 home schedule against Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Mount Marty College Tuesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.