1 day Ago By Mitchell Republic
MITCHELL — Opening its home Great Plains Athletic Conference slate against a ranked foe, Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball knocked off No. 21 Morningside on Wednesday night at the Christen Family Athletic Center. Set scores were 25-20, 25-22, 15-25 and 26-24.
To close out the match in the fourth set, the Tigers withstood a late rally and won three of the final four points to hold off the Mustangs. DWU had used a 3-0 start and a pair of 5-0 runs to take control of the set prior to Morningside’s comeback bid. With the win, DWU (7-6, 3-0 GPAC) remained unbeaten in conference play, and after a 1-4 start, the Tigers have won six of their past eight matches.
ADVERTISEMENT Karly VanDerWerff paced DWU with 11 kills on a .286 hitting percentage and five total blocks, while Abigail Brunsing added 10 kills. Lily Ranschau had nine kills and four blocks, and Emily Dale chipped in eight kills.
Kayleigh Hybertson put up 35 assists with five service aces, as Elizabeth Tyler notched 19 digs with three aces. Despite winning in four sets, DWU was out-hit .170 to .
141 and had five fewer kills in the match. The Tigers helped offset those totals with five more service aces and five fewer reception errors than the Mustangs. For Morningside (13-6, 1-3 GPAC), Emerson Smith posted 14 kills and two blocks, with Claire Wilson adding nine kills and three blocks, while Sydney Marlow had seven kills and 16 digs.
Kyla Dyrstad contributed 22 assists and Aureana Bernales had 18 digs. A difficult homestand continues this weekend for DWU, as the Tigers turn around to host No. 1-ranked and still unbeaten Northwestern at 3 p.
m. Saturday..
