Trojans Dig Pink and Win Back to Back
Carl Curtis
This past Friday the Trojans took on their in-state rival University of Sioux Falls in Madison. The Trojans won this match 3-1. The scores were 18-25, 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23 as the Trojans improved their record to 10-14, snapping a 3 game losing streak.
Each team tied the first set of the match nine times. The Cougars had a 9-2 run to win the match. When they were tied at 16. In the second match DSU lead by 12-10 when USF scored five straight to take the lead 15-12. At the end of the match the score was 20-20 when the Trojans had a 5-2 run to even the set at 1-1. In the third set the cougars gained quick lead with a score of 9-4. The Trojans roared back with a 8-1 deficit to take the lead at 12-10. DSU increased their lead and took the third set with a score of 25-19. In the fourth set USF grabbed a 8-5 lead. But then Trojans had a 10-1 run to take the 15-9 lead. USF climbed back in the game trimming DSUs lead to 19-18. Dakota State scored four straight points to grab the late lead, but then Sioux Falls scored four straight of their own to cut DSUs lead to one. At the end of the game Sioux Falls had an attack error, which sealed the victory for the Trojans.
Stephanie Kruggel led the Trojans offense with 18 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. Lauren LaBar had nine kills. Caitlin Pick recorded six kills and Stacey Schuller had 28 set assists. Katie Green and LaBar each had 8 digs for the Trojans.
On Tuesday night it was “Dig Pink Night” at the DSU Field House. Everyone who showed support for the Trojans were asked to wear pink as part of a breast cancer awareness week at Dakota State University, sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer. The Trojans won their match against Minnesota-Morris 3-1. This moved the Trojans up to 11-14 and put their home record to 6-1.
The Trojans came out playing some of their best volleyball all year as they raced to a 7-0 lead in the first set. UMM came right back as they trimmed DSU’s lead to 14-13. DSU went on another 10-5 run to extend their lead to 24-18 before the cougars scored four straight points to cut it to 24-22. The Trojans closed it out shortly after with a score of 25-22. The second set the Trojans dominated and came out with a 25-19 win to take the 2-0 series lead. In the third set the Trojans led again but gave up a close one as UMM saved two match points and scored the final three points to extend the match. The fourth match the Trojans grabbed an 11-6 lead as they cruised to a 25-19 fourth set victory.
The Trojans had three players who had double-doubles. Kruggel had a very good night with 20 kills and 16 digs. DiPaola had 16 kills and 12 digs. LaBar had 10 kills and 11 digs. Stacey Schuller had 44 set assists. Katie Green also had a great night with 18 digs. Mandi Aktins also added 10 digs.
Main Picture by Tiffany Sommer
