VALLEY CITY, N.D. — Dickinson State battled through a 68-point second set and held seven set-point opportunities, but Valley City State survived the extended frame and defeated the Blue Hawks 3-0 (25-18, 35-33, 25-21) Friday in Frontier Conference play at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
Dickinson State moved to 6-12 overall and 5-6 in the Frontier, while Valley City State improved to 6-12 and 4-7 in conference play.
The Vikings created the separation they needed in the opening set with a 7-0 run that turned a 10-9 advantage into a 17-9 lead. Dickinson State pulled within 23-18 late before Valley City State scored the final 2 points for a 25-18 win.
The second set became the turning point.
Dickinson State built a 15-10 lead before Valley City State rallied and eventually moved in front 22-20. The Blue Hawks responded and reached set point at 24-23, beginning an extended back-and-forth finish.
Dickinson State held seven set-point opportunities during the stretch, leading 24-23, 25-24, 27-26, 28-27, 29-28, 30-29 and 32-31. Aubrey Allison, Carmen Pallone and Macie Wheeler each delivered kills as the teams traded points deep into the set.
Allison later put Dickinson State ahead 33-32, but Valley City State answered and scored the final 3 points to escape with a 35-33 victory.
The Blue Hawks again started well in the third, building an early 7-3 advantage. Valley City State worked back to tie the set at 15 before taking control late. The Vikings moved ahead 20-17 and held off Dickinson State down the stretch for a 25-21 win to complete the sweep.
Allison led Dickinson State with 16 kills and added 7 digs. Pallone finished with 10 kills and 8 digs, while Wheeler recorded 8 kills.
Rylee Kogolshak totaled 33 assists and 11 digs. Ashtynn Egan led the Blue Hawks defensively with 22 digs, Paige Rose added 15 and Geraldyne Fernandez finished with 11.
Dickinson State recorded 42 kills and 78 digs while hitting .107. Valley City State finished with 54 kills and hit .209.
