Mitchell, South Dakota — Dordt University lost to Dakota Wesleyan in four sets (17-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-21) in a GPAC match between ranked teams played Tuesday in Mitchell, S.D.
Dordt, ranked 18th in the NAIA Coaches’ poll, moves to 4-5 in the GPAC, 12-6 overall; No.13 Dakota Wesleyan improves to 7-3 in the conference, 17-5 overall.
Danielle Vande Voort put away a career-high 11 kills in 21 swings, hitting .429 for the match, to lead the Defenders. Corrina Timmermans matched Vande Voort for team-high honors, totaling 11 kills to go with six digs.
The Defenders were in total control in the opening set as they hit .571 (18 kills, 2 errors, 28 attempts) en route to a 25-17 win. Dordt limited DWU to nine kills and forced the hosts into six errors.
Dakota Wesleyan responded with convincing wins in the next two sets, 25-16, 25-13, as the Tigers hit nearly .300 while Dordt’s offense cooled off during the middle two sets.
The fourth and final set was the closest as Dordt jumped out to a 5-1 lead. DWU scored the next seven points to go ahead for good but the Defenders kept it close throughout. A successful attack from Alli Timmermans put the Defenders within one late (22-21) to force DWU into a timeout. The Tigers scored the final three points, however, to close out the set.
Dordt hit 16% for the match compared to 26% by DWU. The Tigers held a slight edge blocking 10.5 – 8.
Megan Raszler lofted up 29 assists and Erica Bousema led the backrow play with 18 digs.
Dakota Wesleyan was led by sophomore middle hitter Ady Dwight with 19 kills, hitting .429 over the four sets.
The Defenders will host Mount Marty on Friday night, Oct. 15 at 6/7:30pm.
