On Tuesday, the Red Raider volleyball team swept Dakota Wesleyan 3-0 on the road (25-11, 25-16,25-15). NW improved its record to 22-1 overall and 6-0 in the GPAC as well as bumped in the rankings to sixth with the latest NAIA poll.
“We were just able to execute really well in all phases,” said sophomore middle hitter Kellie Goedken. “We served aggressively which got (Dakota Wesleyan) out of their system and then we were able to take advantage and put the ball away efficiently.”
Sophomore right side hitter Karlie Schut and junior outside hitter Kaitlin Floerchinger both led the team with 11 kills each. Schut managed hit .500 for the match and Floerchinger led the team with four ace serves and hit .308. Sophomore outside hitter Haley Chambers and Goedken each finished with six kills. Junior libero Alexis Bart notched 15 digs.
Late runs down the stretch in each of the matches proved to be the difference maker. In the first set, NW embarked on a 19-4 victory run after trailing early. In set number two, NW finished on an 11-4 run after being tied at 12-12. Again tied at 12-12 in the third set, NW broke loose on a 11-3 run that ended the match in three games.
While NW hit at .383, Dakota Wesleyan only managed to hit .067 of their kills.
“Communication on the court just comes pretty naturally for all of us because we get along so well,” Goekden said. “It helps us stay focused on what we need to do and it brings positive energy.”
Last Friday, NW defeated Concordia 3-0 with scores of 25-14, 25-12 and 26-24, respectively.
NW hit on .344 of their kill attempts, while Concordia only managed an efficiency of .02.
A trio of Raiders each had 11 kills, consisting of Schut, Chambers and Goedken. Floerchinger recorded seven kills and four blocks. Sophomore setter Brooke Fessler added 34 assists and four digs in the road win.
The Raiders will host seventh-ranked Midland on Saturday in the NAIA Game of the Week.
“We just want to focus on what we do well and play that level that we are capable of playing at consistently,” Goedken said.
The first match will start at 1:30 p.m.
