MITCHELL, S.D. – After taking the first set, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team knew they had a chance at taking down No. 1 Midland University. In a back and forth affair all afternoon, the Warriors escaped Mitchell with a five-set Great Plains Athletic Conference victory on Saturday in the Christen Athletic Center.
Set scores were 22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 23-25 and 15-8 in favor of Midland.
The Tigers came out in the first set with all they had, putting the Warriors in a hole early in the contest. Midland rallied to take the second and third set, but the Tiger offense kept the game alive as DWU took set four. In the final set of the game, points were at a premium for both teams. With the game tied at six apiece, Midland used its offensive weapons to outrun the Tigers.
Senior Dana Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) had a career night with 14 kills and 23 digs, while Lauren Tadlock (Rapid City, S.D.) added 20 kills and 16 digs. Tadlock has recorded double-digit kills in 18-of-21 games so far in 2016. Michelle Van Epps (Lakefield, Minn.) also recorded a double-double with 42 assists and 11 digs. Taylor Spence (North Branch, Minn.) and Mallory Cooper (Orchard, Neb.) added 24 and 15 digs, respectively.
The Tigers (12-9, 2-7 GPAC) visit instate foe, Mount Marty College for a GPAC showdown at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Yankton, S.D.
