MADISON, S.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – The Viking volleyball team picked up its first conference win of the season Saturday, rallying back from an early deficit to defeat Dakota State in four sets.
VCSU dropped the opening set in Madison but won the next three to secure a 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-22 victory over the Trojans. Valley City State improves to 7-7 overall and is now 1-2 in conference play. The Viking end their three-match road trip with a 2-1 record after defeating Dakota State and Grace University, and losing a four-set match to Bellevue University on Friday night.
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next: VCSU returns home for two conference matches on Sept. 29 and 30. The Vikings host No. 2-ranked Viterbo University at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29, and then host Waldorf University at 3 p.m. on Sept. 30.
VCSU 3, Dakota State 1
After a slow start Saturday, the Vikings roared back with three convincing wins to earn their first North Star Athletic Association victory.
The Vikings hit .235 in set two, .393 in set three and .286 in set four. That led to VCSU outhitting Dakota State .267 to .124 for the match.
VCSU senior Megan Johnson had a big day with a team-high 15 kills and a .583 hitting percentage. She committing just one attacking error in 24 attempts. Clarissa Olson posted 10 kills, and both Autumn Johnson and Taylor Sharphad eight kills in the match.
Freshman setter Rowan Garcia stepped up with team-highs of three service aces and 39 assists. Hailie Wilds had 20 digs to lead the defense, and Clarissa Olson had 3.5 blocks. VCSU out-blocked Dakota State in the match, 9-5. The Vikings were also more aggressive at the serving line with 10 aces compared to just two for the Trojans.
Bellevue University 3, VCSU 1
No. 19-ranked Bellevue University held home court Friday night against the Vikings, winning in four sets: 25-20, 25-13, 18-25, 25-17. Bellevue improved to 14-3 overall and 3-0 in the NSAA.
McKinley Putnam and Autumn Johnson each had six kills for VCSU; Rowan Garcia had 15 assists and Leah Ruter finished with 12 assists; Hailie Wilds led the team with 1 digs; and Clarissa Olson had three aces.
Bellevue outhit the Vikings, .168 to .107.