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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–In both teams’ second matches of the year, Valley City State scored four straight points against Jamestown College to take a 4-3 lead in the first set.

It was about the only doubt the Jimmies would face all day.

After sweeping Waldorf College to start the day, Jamestown College dominated Valley City State 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-9) to start their 2012-13 season 2-0 at Grachien Gym at Valley City State Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Vikings, perhaps one of the youngest teams in the country, sporting eight freshman, one senior, and playing a lineup that had five of those freshman in it for several rallies, managed a set against Waldorf, but dropped two matches Saturday.

The Jimmies won their three sets with the Vikings in commanding fashion, pulling away just after the halfway point of the first set, then taking a seven-point lead after just 21 rallies in the second, and rolling to a 10-point lead after just 22 rallies in the third.

Kaitlyn Rogalla (Sr., Moorhead, MN) had a fantastic day leading an aggressive Jimmie offense, while Kelsey Deragisch (Jr., Marshall, MN) began the season as the go-to setter with success, and Alaina Brown (Fr., Bloomington, MN) made big contributions early in her career, points head coach Jon Hegerle was quick to notice.

Hegerle also saw his team serve well, a factor the Jimmies cannot ignore after a 2011 season that saw them commit 259 errors. 

While the scores were not in the Vikings’ favor, there were positives to be found with a very young group of players.  Jacey Otterson (Fr., Kindred, ND) looked right at home defensively, leading the Vikings with nine kills, while Kelsey Lobodi (Fr., Calgary, AB) was an overall leader, attacking 21 times, recording four kills, four digs, and an ace, both players giving head coach Susan Kolbow optimism.

The Vikings did manage to win some long rallies in both matches, showing the type of volleyball they are capable of playing.

But the Viking setters, Anna Neufeld (Jr., Steinbach, MB) and Stephanie Miller (Fr., Esko, MN) struggled trying to adjust to a 6-2 format that VCSU teams have not run much of in the recent past.  The Vikings managed just 14 assists in the match, and Kolbow was surprised by what she saw.

The Vikings and Jimmies continue their seasons at a tournament in Orange City, IA, hosted by Northwestern College next weekend.  The Jimmies will be Bellevue University, Morningside College, Doane College, and Dordt College, while the Vikings face Dordt, Northwestern, Baker University, and Dakota Wesleyan University.

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