Quick start propels DWU to season sweep of Presentation

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team made light work of Presentation College on Tuesday in a non-conference matchup, cruising to a 3-0 victory completing the season sweep of PC.

Set scores were 25-8, 25-14, 25-21.

 The Tigers (8-5) shot out of the blocks in the first set taking a commanding 10-5 lead. A kill by McKenzie Buisker (Watertown, S.D.) off the assist from Madeline Else (Holstein, Iowa) forced the Saints (4-6) to call an early timeout.

 DWU later extended the lead 16-7 off a kill by Jadie DeLange (Monument, Colo.). The Tigers used the opportunity to ignite a 9-1 run on their way to a 25-8 set victory taking a 1-0 match lead. A service ace by Dannielle Burns (Raymond, Minn.) and multiple kills by Ady Dwight (Langford, S.D.) kept the momentum going.

 A plethora of kills by the Blue and Gray to begin the second frame forced the Saints to take another timeout trailing 7-3.

 Out of the break, DWU remained aggressive as both teams exchanged points bringing the score to 17-12. However, back-to-back kills by Dwight sparked an 8-2 run for the Tigers leading to a 25-14 second-set victory giving DWU the 2-0 edge.

 In the third and final set, both teams went back and forth early on as a kill by Buisker off the assist from Else brought DWU to within two points. However, Presentation rattled off a 7-3 run securing a 15-10 lead forcing the Tigers to call a quick timeout.

 DWU responded immediately off multiple kills by Mariah Gloe (Watertown, S.D.) to knot the score at 16-16. While Presentation called a late timeout to halt the Tiger's momentum, the attempt was unsuccessful. A kill by Chaydon Metzger (Larchwood, Iowa) held off any attempt by the Saints propelling DWU to a 25-21 third-set victory and the season sweep of Presentation.

 On the attack, Dakota Wesleyan was paced by Dwight who led all players with 13 kills while Buisker and DeLange also added 11 and eight kills, respectively. The Tiger defense was solidified by Sara Herman (Reliance, S.D.) and Hanna Reiff (Chester, S.D.) who recorded a combined 25 digs while DWU tallied 45 assists and 57 digs as a team to notch the victory.

 The Blue and Gray hit the road once again as they face Northwestern at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow from Orange City, Iowa.