DiPaola's 28 kills leads Dakota State

MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota State University volleyball team hosted their in-state rival Mount Marty in both teams' second meeting of the season Monday evening at the DSU Fieldhouse.  The Trojans defeated the Lancers in four sets (25-17, 21-25, 25-20 and 26-24) to record their fifth win in the last six matches.  The Trojans remained undefeated in the current seven-match home stand.

Dakota State moved to .500 for the first time this season with an overall record of 7-7.  The Trojans had defeated Mount Marty for the eighth straight time in the series.  The Lancers, member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, dropped to 2-10 overall record.

With the Trojans leading 13-10 in the opening set, the Trojans used a 7-1 scoring run to earn a 20-11 lead.  DSU recorded a hitting percentage of .412 to gain a 25-17 first-set win for a 1-0 match lead.

Mount Marty jumped to a 6-2 lead in the second set.  The Lancers extended their lead to 13-5.  DSU used an 8-2 run to trim their deficit at 15-13.  The Trojans' rally fell short as MMC took a 25-21 second set win to earn a 1-1 tie match.  At 8-7 in favor of the Lancers in third set, Dakota State score four straight points to gain an 11-8 lead.  The Lancers could get no closer than 21-19 as the Trojans secured a 25-20 third set victory to gain a 2-1 match lead.

A total of 15 ties were recorded in fourth set.  As DSU led at 24-22, the Lancers saved two match points from DSU to even the score at 24-24.  Dakota State was able to secure the match by scoring the final two points (26-24) with a kill from Kristen DiPaola and Caitlin Pick.

DiPaola recorded a match-high of 28 attacks for the Trojans.  Pick added 12 kills.  Allison Thielsen had eight kills.  Stacey Schuller produced 44 assists.  Katie Green led DSU's defense with 21 digs and two service aces.  DiPaola and Taylor Mosco each had two service aces.  Thielsen had 11 digs.   DiPaola had two blocks in the match (solo block and two block assists).  Mosco added three block assists (1.5 blocks). 

For Mount Marty, Amanda Dirksen had 13 kills.  Kristen Boyle added 11 attacks.  Kuchta Bailey had 10 kills.  Caitlyn Illg recorded 42 assists.  Dirksen had 14 digs for the Lancers' defense.  Courtney Miller added 12 digs.  Illg had 11 digs.  Kate Ligscheit had three block assists for MMC.

DSU outhit the Lancers 55-52 in kills.  The Trojans had .229 hitting percentage compared to the Lancers' .182. Dakota State had six service aces while MMC had two aces.  The Lancers recorded a .943 serving percentage compared to DSU's .927 serving percentage.  Both teams had five blocks in the match.

DSU remains at home this weekend as they host the Independent Volleyball Jamboree.  Six independent schools will compete in the jamboree, including host-team Dakota State, Ashford (Iowa), Jamestown (N.D.), Mayville State (N.D.), South Dakota Mines and Valley City State (N.D.).  The two-day event kicks off with the Trojans hosting Ashford Saints at 10 a.m.  All matches will be held at the DSU Fieldhouse.