V-Hawks Sweep Trojans at Home

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team, ranked #5 in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, topped Dakota State University (SD) in a North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) battle on Saturday afternoon. The V-Hawks improve to 25-3 (9-0 NSAA), while the Trojans fall to 13-13 (4-5 NSAA).

After a Marissa Kleman-Jada Mitchell block early in the opening set, Viterbo scored six straight points, including a McGrath-Sadie Treptow block, a Kenzie Winker solo block, and a Cailie Kowal solo block, for the 10-4 lead. The V-Hawks would stay in control as two Marissa Kleman kills, a Winker solo block, and a Grace Rohde ace brought the score to 18-8. Three late kills by McGrath ended the set 25-13.

Rohde had two aces, Winker had two kills, and McGrath and Kleman had a block assist as Viterbo sprinted out to an 11-2 lead in the second. The Trojans closed the gap to 15-10, but would get no closer as Jada Mitchell and Winker's kills extended the lead yet again, and McGrath had back-to-back kills to end the set, 25-14.

A Mitchell solo block and Maddie Connor ace helped the V-Hawks start the third up 4-0, McGrath's kill and Kleman-assisted block helped kept Viterbo in the lead, and Sadie Treptow's kill helped bring the score to 12-5. Errors by Dakota State and a Grace Peyron solo block gave Viterbo the 20-9 lead, and while the Trojans battled until the end, Winker had consecutive kills, and McGrath punctuated the match again, 25-13.

McGrath led all players with 11 kills, while hitting .556, and Winker added 10 on .412 hitting. Connor had 17 assists, and she and McCabe each had nine digs. Brooklyn Grage led DSU with eight kills.

The V-Hawks return to action on Thursday, October 26, as they travel to defending national champions, #12 University of Jamestown (ND).