DWU clobbers Lancers in three-set match

YANKTON, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team wasted no time putting away Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Mount Marty University, as they defeated the Lancers in three sets on Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.

 Set scores were 25-13, 25-14, 25-11.

 The Tigers (10-6, 6-6- GPAC) led 6-5 in the early moments of the first set. DWU went on a 6-0 run highlighted by kills by Mackenzie Miller (Mitchell, S.D.) and Jadie DeLange (Monument, Colo.). After the Lancers (5-13, 0-8 GPAC) tallied a point, DWU reeled off six straight points again to hold an 18-6 advantage.

 MMU attempted a late comeback after tallying five straight points. However, Mariah Gloe (Watertown, S.D.) put the set away with a kill to give the Tigers an early 1-0 set lead.

 The Lancers came out in the second frame with a strong start as they led 6-5 early on. Miller and McKenzie Buisker (Watertown, S.D.) combined for three quick points to regain the lead.

 Moments later, a plethora of Tigers joined the scoring as they took a commanding 16-10 lead. After the Lancers pulled within four points, DWU reeled off eight of the final nine points to take the second set.

 After the score was tied 3-3 in the third frame, a handful on MMU errors handed the Tigers a 7-3 lead. Midway through the final set, Gloe recorded a service ace followed by Buisker kill to push the DWU lead. Ady Dwight (Langford, S.D.) capped off the night with a pair of kills as the Tigers cruised to victory.

 Dwight paced the Tigers with 15 kills and 3.5 blocks, while Miller added 10 kills and 1.5 blocks. Hanna Reiff (Chester, S.D.) finished with 12 digs, as Madeline Else (Holstein, Iowa) chipped in 37 assists and five digs.

 DWU stays on the road as they battle Hastings College at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in Hastings, Neb.