OMAHA, Neb. – After holding a 10-4 advantage in the fifth set, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team fell to the College of Saint Mary in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Saturday in Omaha, Neb.
The Tigers (18-8, 3-8 GPAC) jumped out to an early lead in the first set thanks to a pair of Emily Brunsing (Wagner, S.D.) kills. Later in the set, DWU built a 15-10 lead after kills by Rebecca Frick (Yankton, S.D.) and Jadie DeLange (Monument, Colo.).
However, the Flames (20-9, 5-6 GPAC) tied the game moments later after consecutive Tiger errors. CSM went on to take the first set from DWU.
In the second set, it was a Dannielle Burns (Raymond, Minn.) service ace that tied the game, 8-8. Both teams traded points until the Flames held a 15-12 advantage. But the Tigers regained the lead with back-to-back kills by Brunsing. Later in the set, Burns recorded consecutive service aces to push the Tigers to a set two victory.
The third set began in the favor of DWU. Midway through the set the Tigers held an 18-14 lead after another Brunsing kill. However, three-straight errors by DWU allowed the Flames back into the set. CSM used the momentum to win the third set.
Mariah Gloe (Watertown, S.D.) kicked off the fourth set with consecutive kills as DWU took an 8-7 lead. The Tigers later used a 5-0 run to build a 17-12 advantage. After CSM tied the set at 17, the Tigers scored eight-straight points to force a fifth and deciding set.
In the fifth set, Frick recorded a kill to give the Tigers a 10-4 lead. But the Flames climbed back into the set and eventually stole the game from DWU as they finished on a 13-5 run.
Frick finished with 24 kills and 13 digs, while Burns added 22 digs and five service aces. Gloe tallied 19 kills and 13 digs, as Mallory Cooper (Orchard, Neb.) notched 26 digs and Burns chipped in 22 digs.
The Tigers return home to battle Hastings College at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Christen Family Athletic Center in Mitchell.