Blue Hawks can't stop Waldorf rally in five set loss
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Waldorf (11-10,2-9) | 20 | 27 | 19 | 25 | 17 | 3 |
|
Dickinson State (ND) (4-21,2-10) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 15 | 2 |
DICKINSON, N.D. - Mackenna Johnson (14 kills, 17 digs) and McKenzie Moser (12 kills, 11 digs) both posted double-doubles but it wasn't quite enough as the visitors from Waldorf University (11-10, 2-10 NSAA) erased a 2-1 deficit to win the match, 3-2 (20-25, 27-25, 14-25, 25-19, 17-15). The loss moves Dickinson State to 4-21 (2-10 NSAA) on the season, putting their playoff hopes on the brink of extinction.
The match started with a back-and-forth affair in the first set, with the lead changing hands six times before the Blue Hawks took the lead for good at 15-14 on an error by the Warriors. In set two, Waldorf flipped the script, erasing deficits of 16-11 and 23-20 to force extra points. Back-to-back attack errors by the Blue Hawks gave Waldorf its first set victory and tied the match 1-1.
The third set saw Dickinson State come out on fire from the opening serve. DSU jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead thanks to kills from Madi Wahl and Haydin Henschel, and an ace from Johnson to force Waldorf to take an early timeout. It did little to slow down the Blue Hawks as they continued to hit well in the set and took a 17-11 lead before the Warriors started to respond. A quick 5-0 run by the visitors from Forest City, Iowa made it 17-16 DSU, but that was as close as they would get as Dickinson State used an 8-3 run of their own to take the set 25-19.
Waldorf was able to respond, however, as they jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead and coasted to a 25-19 win. In the fifth set, Waldorf took a 4-1 lead. A kill by setter Bailey Pearcy tied the match at 9-9 and setting the stage for the close finish. After a service error made it 15-15 and forced extra points, back-to-back kills by Warriors ended the set, and the match, in favor of Waldorf.
Madi Wahl added 13 kills and Brooklyn Wyllie had 11 making it four Blue Hawks in double-digits for kills. Bailey Pearcy had 47 kills, Haydin Henschel chipped in eight kills, and Jenna Swope added 25 digs to round out the DSU performances.
WHATS NEXT
The Blue Hawks remain at home next week to finish the regular season against Mayville State University (11/3) and Presentation College (11/5). November 3 will be Senior Night as DSU Volleyball honors their three seniors.