Sioux City, Iowa – Dakota Wesleyan volleyball has nothing to hang their head on after yet another historical season under head coach Lindsay Wilber. The Tigers have set a new standard for Dakota Wesleyan Tiger Volleyball yet again this season and put the program to new heights reaching the NAIA Women's Volleyball Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The big driving force behind this run; the five seniors, Dannielle Burns, Madeline Else, Mariah Gloe, Hanna Reiff, and Mackenzie Miller.
The Quick Details
Score:
DWU 0 – MU 3 (26-28, 14-25, 16-25)
Records:
DWU 25-8
MU 28-5
How It Happened
Dakota Wesleyan volleyball came out determined in the opening set against conference foe Midland in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Quarterfinals, with a 5-3 lead. The Warriors were not going to let the Tigers run away with the first set like they did during the pool play rounds; holding DWU to one or two-point leads. It was back and forth all set long, before Dakota Wesleyan grabbed their first significant lead of five points on two Midland errors and a kill from Gloe, 18-13. The Tigers continued to lead even with the Warriors slowly climbing back into the set. With the Tigers up 24-19 and set point on the line, Midland found a way to string together a 6-0 run to take the lead 25-24 over DWU, as both teams took timeouts during that run. The Tigers looked to close the set, tying the game at 25-25 with a kill from Gloe then receiving a point on a Warrior attacking error to lead 26-25. On the next rally, Midland tied the set at 26-26, before earning a point via Tiger attacking error and a set ending ace, 28-26. The opening set was the best either team hit all night long with the Tigers hitting .233 percent and the Warriors hitting .235 percent.
The second set did not go how the Tigers planned. DWU never took the lead in the second set, but they were able to tie it early at 5-5 thanks to a three-point run on a Warrior attacking error and kills from Emily Dale and Gloe. Dakota Wesleyan was unable to climb back into the set after Midland put up a four-point run to lead, 9-5 despite the long rallies that happened. With DWU trailing by five, 19-14, Midland went on a 6-0 run, winning the second set, 25-14 and taking a 2-0 match lead.
The Third and what was evidently the final set of the Tigers 2022 season, was similar to the second as they were never able to take the lead but tied the set at 6-6 early. Dakota Wesleyan committed more errors than they had kills in the third set of the match, as they dropped the season ending set, 25-16 against GPAC foes, Midland.
The Dakota Wesleyan Tigers in the match hit .095 percent as a team while Dwight and Gloe led the team with eight kills each. Miller recorded six kills and Abigail Brunsing notched five. Senior setter, Else tallied one kill, 30 assists, and seven digs. Tya Weideman and Reiff recorded 13 and 12 digs, respectively.
What's Next for Tiger Volleyball?
Dakota Wesleyan Tiger volleyball and Tiger athletics says thank you to the five seniors for their part in raising the standard for DWU volleyball for seasons and years to come with all the milestones, accolades, wins, all-time career achievements, and much more. For the 2022 team, you have reached new heights this season through big wins, highest NAIA Pool ranking, and deepest run by a DWU volleyball team in program history. As the Tigers enter the off season, they will look to begin preparations for the 2023 season starting on Monday, between recruiting and work outs.
