MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team opened the home and Great Plains Athletic Conference portion of its 2016 schedule with a three-set win over Mount Marty College Tuesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers rallied after a slow start in the first set and went on to a dominating win in the third to sweep the Lancers, 26-24, 25-22, 25-11. The win moves DWU to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the GPAC.
The Tigers dropped the first five points of the opening set before fighting back to even the score at 19. Senior outside hitter Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) took over the final several points of the opener with four kills and an ace to close it out and give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. DWU and MMC were once again tied late in the second set when back-to-back kills from Tadlock and junior Katie Vetch (Rapid City, S.D.) put the home team up two.
The final set was all DWU as senior setter Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, S.D.) served seven straight points for the Tigers to give her team a commanding lead early. The match closed with a DWU block to secure the win.
Tadlock led the Tigers in kills for the third straight contest with 14, while Van Epps posted a match-high 32 assists. Senior Libero Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.) led the DWU defense with 24 digs as she grows more comfortable with her new position.
The Tigers host the Corn Palace Classic this weekend starting with a match against Dickinson State University at Noon on Friday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.
