MITCHELL, S.D. – In front of a packed crowd at Fosness Arena, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team opened the 2015 season strong against instate opponent Presentation College Tuesday in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers (1-0) dominated the match from the first whistle, sweeping the Saints (0-1), 25-20, 25-23, 25-14, in the opening match of the 2015 campaign. Second-year Head Coach Lindsay Wilber saw her team control the play from start to finish, led by junior outside hitter Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.).
Tadlock, a returning All-Great Plains Athletic Conference Honorable Mention, paced the DWU offense with a match-high 14 kills. She added eight digs, three total blocks and one service ace in the win.
Wilber unveiled her new two-setter formation, starring juniors Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) and Emily Pengilly (Watertown, S.D.). Van Epps, who crossed 1,000 assists a year ago, led DWU against the Saints with 21 assists, while adding nine digs and two block assists. Pengilly chipped in with 17 assists and six digs.
Defensively, the Tigers were led by junior Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.) with 16 digs, while senior Maggie Stehly (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added 12. Junior Sammy Fluck (Becker, Minn.) finished with eight kills and five total blocks, while junior Dana Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) added seven kills and two service aces.
The Saints were led by Mallori Rabenberg with 10 kills, while Kaitlyn Boesi added 10 digs.
The Tigers head to Grace University for two matches on Saturday. DWU takes on Central Christian College at 3 p.m. and Grace at 5 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.
