MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team was back in action at the Corn Palace Classic taking on Valley City State University and instate rival Dakota State University Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers broke two streaks with a pair of wins on day two of the annual event. The Tigers won a five-set match against VCSU, the first five-set win for DWU since Oct. 5, 2013, which also came at the expense of the Vikings. In the finale, the Tigers picked up their first win over the Trojans since Sept. 26, 2012, beating DSU in straight sets.
The Tigers rolled over the Trojans 25-22, 25-17, 25-19, using efficient offense to sweep their rival.
Junior Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) continued to lead the DWU offense on Saturday. Against DSU Tadlock posted her second 18-kill match of the day, committing just two hitting errors. She also racked up six digs and two solo blocks on defense.
Mitchell native Dana Misiaszek continues to progress with each match, becoming a consistent threat at the net and at the service line. The junior finished with 10 kills and four service aces against DSU.
The Tiger defense was led by senior Maggie Stehly (Sioux Falls, S.D.) with 18 digs in the nightcap. Junior Taylor Spence added 13 digs, while junior Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) posted a team-high 22 assists. The Tigers finished with a .223 hitting percentage as a team.
The Tigers needed two sets longer to dispatch of VCSU, but DWU came out on top 25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 18-25, 15-10. Tadlock was joined at the top of the DWU kill chart against the Vikings by junior Sammy Fluck (Becker, Minn.) with 18.
Stehly again led the Tigers in digs, posting a season-high 30, while moving into sixth place on the DWU all-time digs list with 1,222 in her career. Spence also had a strong game defensively, with 22 digs to go along with seven kills on offense. Misiaszek clocked in with her second 10-kill outing of the day, while freshman Leslie Carsrud (Rapid City, S.D.) and Tadlock each chipped in with 10 digs. Van Epps had a season-high 47 assists, orchestrating the DWU offense in the win.
The Tigers head into Great Plains Athletic Conference play at 6-1. DWU welcomes No. 25 Dordt College for the conference opener at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Christen Family Athletic Center.
