Volleyball handles Presentation in non-conference action

ABERDEEN, S.D. – After dropping the opening set of the night, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team rallied and won the ensuing three sets to defeat Presentation College Tuesday night in Aberdeen, S.D.

 Set scores were 21-25, 25-9, 25-21, 25-9.

 Both teams started off strong as DWU held a 9-7 lead early following a service ace by Madeline Else (Holstein, Iowa). The Saints (0-1) responded with a run to grab a 17-14 advantage moments later.

 After PC extended its lead to six points, the Tigers (3-0) reeled off five-straight points thanks to kills by Mariah Gloe (Watertown, S.D.) and McKenzie Buisker (Watertown, S.D.). However, the Saints scored four of the final five points to pull out the opening-set win.

 The second set opened with the Tigers holding a narrow 9-6 lead. But Mackenzie Miller (Mitchell, S.D.), Buisker and Gloe came alive to score five-consecutive points for DWU. The Tigers continued to roll as they dominated the second set to even the set score.

 PC answered with a strong start to the third set after holding an 8-6 lead. A Jadie DeLange (Monument, Colo.) kill moments later swung the momentum in favor of DWU as they gained a 10-9 lead.

 Midway through the third set, Gloe and Miller combined for four kills to push the Tiger lead to four points. DWU held off a late PC surge to grab the third set.

 A handful of Saint errors to open the fourth set gave way to a 12-0 advantage for the Tigers. Ady Dwight (Langford, S.D.) joined the action with a pair of kills as DWU cruised in the fourth set to win the match.

 Gloe paced the Tigers with 16 kills and 14 digs, as Else added 43 assists, 11 digs and four service aces. Dwight posted 14 kills, while DeLange notched 11 kills and Sara Herman (Reliance, S.D.) recorded 17 digs on the night. As a team, DWU tallied 60 kills, 49 assists and 98 digs.

 The Tigers open Great Plains Athletic Conference play as they battle Dordt University at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Sioux Center, Iowa.