New stock of DWU volleyball planted, nurtured and emerging

MITCHELL, S.D. –  Any farmer knows and expects an extraordinary amount of time and care are required for producing a successful and bountiful harvest. From covering the field with the initial seed, irrigating the vast emerging stocks throughout the blistering summer, to weeding out harmful pests and weeds and every task in between. Yet, the countless amount of sweat, dedication and hours throughout the year makes for a job well done in the fields.

 Also reaping the benefits of staying the course and a job well done, is the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team and head coach Lindsey Wilber. The Tigers culminated the 2020 season with a 12-8 overall record and an 8-8 Great Plains Athletic Conference mark qualifying for the GPAC postseason tournament for the first time ever over the programs' 21-year league membership. Therefore, a great sense of joy and accomplishment illuminated from head coach Lindsay Wilber when reflecting on the transformation of the program under her watch leading to this season's huge milestone.

 "The blood sweat and tears that have been shed over the last seven years have truly paid off," Wilber commented. "As a coach, you often doubt yourself that you might not be doing the right thing all the time, but when you can finally see it take shape on the court like we have the last two years, you get the sense you must be doing something right."

 While Dakota Wesleyan is deservedly celebrating new heights on the court, the culture of the program was first cultivated and replanted during Wilber's initial season back in 2014. Before taking over the reins, the Tigers won a combined three conference matches from 2011-13 including a 0-16 mark in GPAC play during the 2013 season. Therefore, a culture of hard work and willingness to improve comparable to any successful operation is something the Lakefield, Minn., native iterated when talking about the current culture of team.

 "From the start, the key has been to continuously work on building the culture of this program," Wilber said. "Having a program where players want to get in the gym, work hard, get better and develop a skill set not only that works on the court, but as well as in the classroom."

 And with an emerging stock of athleticism combined with a defensive mentality, the past two seasons have witnessed the Tigers play at their highest level in nearly 25 years. The 2019 squad, which ended with a 20-12 overall record and a 4-11 GPAC record, finished third nationally in digs per game averaging a program best 20.6 digs per game. A season ago, DWU also set new team records in both serving percentage and serve-reception percentage tallying marks of 94.6% and .937, respectively.

 Boasting just two seniors this fall, Dakota Wesleyan capitalized on last year's success finishing the 2020 regular season with several top-10 national rankings. Wilber's squad finished second nationally in total digs with 1,456 as sophomore Hanna Reiff (Chester, S.D.) recorded a team-high 342 digs on the season.

 Meanwhile, the Tigers also tallied 888 assists and 940 kills ranking seventh and ninth in the country, respectively. Freshman Ady Dwight (Langford, S.D.) paced Dakota Wesleyan with 241 kills in 77 set appearances while sophomore Madeline Else (Holstein, Iowa) finished third nationally in total assists with 808.

 "We continue to play at a high level and over the past two years we have had players that enjoy being with each other and enjoy playing together," expressed the seventh-year head coach on the germination of success over the last two seasons. "Our overall athleticism has been a key contributor as well."

 Likewise, buried under the soil of seasons gone by one can find a rich culture of great success and achievement as the 1990's were a truly historic run for the Dakota Wesleyan volleyball program. The span witnessed 30 Tigers earn All-SDIC honors along with seven all-region selections. A plethora of program records still span from the period as the 1993 class tallied a program-best, 114-set victories, 2,659 kills and 859 blocks. Just as successful, the 1990 campaign saw the DWU volleyball team participate in the NAIA National Tournament en route to a 47-12 overall record.

 However, many of the great accolades and milestones cemented nearly three decades ago were left dormant when Dakota Wesleyan made the transition to the GPAC during the 2000 season. A transition that pitted the Tigers with a new level of competition at the net, the GPAC has proven to be one of the strongest conferences each year at the NAIA level.

 "GPAC teams always keep the ball in play, have great ball control and terminate in the perfect situation," expressed Wilber on the stiff competition of the league. "We know what it takes to be successful in the GPAC and how we need to play to compete night in and night out."

 Therefore, facing a stiff level of competition every season, the former-Augustana University standout was left to recruit a new crop of talent rooted in a culture defined by defense, hard work and a willingness to improve. Such recruits have included most recently, Rebecca Frick (2016-19), the universities' first-ever CoSIDA Academic All-America. Preceding Frick were the likes of Lauren Tadlock (2014-16) and Maggie Stehly (2012-15), who finished their own illustrious careers ranked fourth in program history in kills and digs, respectively.

 "Defense has always been a strength of ours," iterated Wilber on the mentality of her players. "We never want to see a ball hit the floor without a body getting after it and that is what keeps us in long rallies with teams that are, height wise, much bigger than us."

 Relying on the same defensive mindset and athleticism that helped the Tigers qualify for their first-ever GPAC postseason appearance earlier this fall, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team is well planted not only for this spring, but next season as well. DWU's 8-8 conference record leaves Wilber and the Tigers as a projected lower seed upon entering the conference tournament this coming spring. Thus, giving Wilber both optimism and excitement about the new stock of Tiger volleyball emerging and on the rise.

 "This spring we will be competing for a conference championship," Wilber commented. "Let's get in that first round as an underdog and see what we can do. We have a solid foundation for the spring and next fall as well with this current group."

 Equal to farming, the act of competition and sports in general teaches some of life's greatest and most irreplaceable values and lessons. From staying the course with patience and hard work, to running the race with confidence, diligence and perseverance; each new day, week or season provides an opportunity for improvement.

 Of course, there will always be setbacks and hindrances in both the field and on the court, but such obstacles have the power to turn an individual or team into something better. So, to the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team and head coach Lindsay Wilber, you have truly earned your stripes with your unceasing dedication and hard work.