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DSU tops Dakota Wesleyan 3-1 in volleyball
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By ARIY-EL BOYNTON, Sports Editor
| 10/14/2009 |
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Trailing in the crucial first set, Dakota State University's Trojan volleyball team relied on reigning DAC outside Hitter of the Week Rachael Jensen for key points. With Dakota Wesleyan one point away from taking the set, Jensen came through for DSU with three kills in a row on Tuesday in Mitchell.
Jensen carried the Trojans to the first-set victory and eventually the match win. DSU won 3-1 (26-24, 25-22, 17-25, 25-15).
The Tigers carried a 24-22 lead and Jensen hit three strikes that the Tigers couldn't handle. After a Tiger hit the ball into the net, the Trojans were two sets away from victory.
"Getting three straight was really big. The team relied on me because the middle wasn't open, and it's nice to know they trust me. I was getting the ball and getting a little tired, but I put them in good spots and they landed for points," said Jensen.
Jensen ended with 18 kills and 16 digs for a double-double.
DSU celebrated a two-match winning streak for the first time this season.
"When we were going into the locker room, we talked about that. The feeling is really special. We worked hard, and hopefully this will carry into the weekend," said DSU's Stephanie Kruggel, who had 13 digs and three aces. "Taking the first set on their home court was big for momentum. We made a comeback on them, and that got us going."
In the second set, the Trojans raced out to a 6-0 lead and for a moment seemed in complete control of the match.
"They called a timeout, and we had a lot going for us in the match. Six points, especially in the opening, is significant, but give Dakota Wesleyan credit. They chipped away at the score and made it close," said Amy Veenhof, DSU's coach.
DWU staged a comeback but they lost three straight points to DSU.
"You just never know in volleyball. I have seen a lot of things, so nothing surprises me anymore," said Veenhof.
DSU won the second set with help from Margie Anthony, who had 11 kills out of 23 attempts on Tuesday.
"I was very pleased with her (Anthony's) play tonight. In the beginning of the match, she figured some things out, and that carried on to some big plays at the end," said Veenhof. "Some of her kills were not easy balls, either. She really hard to work hard. She's really athletic, and she used her ability to do some good things for us."
Anthony was pleased with her play.
"It was nice to get some kills in the match when the score was close. There was some holes and Mollie (Merriam) did a good job of finding me," she said.
Merriam, DSU's setter from Huron, had 46 sets in the match. She was happy her team earned the seventh victory of the season.
"I'm so glad that we won. It was close but we came out on top," she said. "I just did my job, I guess. My teammates were really good tonight and they made me look good."
While the Tigers won the third set, DSU allowed just 15 points in the fourth and final set.
The Trojans won the fourth set thanks in large part to Ashley Schulte, who was forced into the middle.
"Ashley did a good job at reacting to balls late in the match. You could just tell that she was zoned in and threw down a couple of huge hits," said Veenhof.
Ashley Kley had 15 kills and 10 blocks for DWU, which is 11-16 on the year.
DSU (7-12) will host Jamestown College on Friday at the DSU Fieldhouse.
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©Madison Daily Leader 2010
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