
Bellevue, Neb. – Dickinson State opened up their 2024 season with a bang, knocking off #25 Ottawa (Kan.), 3-1 (27-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23), in game one before falling in game two to RV Benedictine (Kan.) 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-15). The win in game one was the first for new head coach Stormy Siemion who enters her first year as a college coach.
"I am so proud of the lady Blue Hawks today," said Siemion. "They have put in such hard work and it paid off. Even in our second game, coming out as a loss, the ladies confidently stayed focus and understood every point was an opportunity to get better. We have learned a lot and the best is yet to come."
Game One – DSU 3 OU 1
The Blue Hawks were led by senior McKenzie Moser's 20 kills and 18 digs in game one, while Haydin Henschel added 15 kills and Madi Wahl and Scarlette Schwindt each chipped in 12.
Setter Rylee Kogolshak had her best game as a Blue Hawk, dishing out 54 assists and collecting 13 digs for a double-double.
Trailing 21-17 late in the first set, DSU staved off set point twice before a 3-0 run capped by a pair of kills from Wahl gave the Blue Hawks a 27-25 win.
Ottawa responded to take the next set before DSU took the next two sets to secure the upset.
Game Two – BU 3 DSU 0
Benedictine used a balanced offensive attack to knock off an upset minded DSU squad in the second game of the day. Nationally receiving votes, the Ravens were playing in their first game of the day as they took down DSU 3-0.
Moser again led the Blue Hawk offense with 7 kills, while Wahl and Schwindt added 6 apiece. Freshman Ava Jahner saw her first action as a Blue Hawk and connected on 4 kills. Kogolshak had her second consecutive double-double with 24 assits and 12 digs. Moser led the team with 15 digs on the defensive side.