Tigers cruise past Saints in three sets

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team stepped out of Great Plains Athletic Conference play, defeating Presentation College on Senior Night in three sets on Thursday in the Christen Family Athletic Center in Mitchell, S.D.

  Set scores were 25-14, 25-21 and 25-18 in favor of the Tigers.

 The Tigers led jumped out to a quick 14-4 lead in set one, putting the Saints away 25-14. In set two, PCU came within two points late in the set, but an error by the Saints gave the Tigers a 25-21 victory. In the finale, a block by Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) and Kimberly VanBockern (Lake Preston, S.D.) gave the Tigers a 17-10 lead. Tadlock later put the game out of reach on back-to-back kills, giving the Tigers a 3-0 advantage.

 Tadlock recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 11 digs. Freshman Rebecca Frick (Yankton, S.D.) tallied 11 kills, while Dana Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) finished with nine kills and 12 digs. Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.) and Mallory Cooper (Orchard, Neb.) finished with 16 and 15 digs, respectively. Senior setter Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) pitched in 37 assists, while recording her 1,000^th assist this season.

 The Tigers (16-10, 3-8 GPAC) step back into conference action, welcoming No. 2 Hastings College at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Christen Family Athletic Center in Mitchell, S.D.