Volleyball goes 2-1 on Week

Viking Volleyball experienced the joys and frustration of youth last week.  Dana played well, but lost in straight games 3-0 to Midland Lutheran (30-25, 30-28, 30-26) on Tuesday evening.  Dana then rallied to sweep a home doubleheader against Friends University 3-1 (30-27, 30-23, 28-30, 30-20) and 3-1 (16-30, 30-19, 30-22, 30-24).

The Vikings use one senior, four sophomores, and four true freshmen in their rotations.  Kali Brayfield (SO, Elkhorn, Neb.) led the Vikings with ten kills against Midland.  April Fitch (FR, Creighton, Neb.) and Danielle Neville (FR, Grand Island, Neb.) had six kills each.  Nichole Elwood (SO, Fremont, Neb.) had 24 assists.  Fitch also had one solo and four assists blocks to lead Dana defensively. 

“We did not show our true potential tonight,” said Head Coach Rayna Cain.  “We struggled to convert free balls and made several mental errors.  We will learn from this match and it will help us prepare for game this weekend.”

The Vikings took what they had learned against the Warriors and swept Friends University in a doubleheader Friday evening. Neville led the Vikings with 14 kills in the opening match.  Lacie Greiner (SO, Boone, Iowa) added 13 kills and served four aces. Fitch and Brayfield added nine and eight kills respectively. Elwood dished out 39 set assists in the win.  Fitch also led the team with two solo and five assist blocks.

Match number two started an hour after the first game ended and Dana came away with another 3-1 victory. Brayfield led the Vikings with 11 kills on the match.  Freshman hitter Neville added ten more kills. Elwood had 30 more set assists in game two.  Neville and Casey Smith (FR, Yutan, Neb.) each had 11 defensive digs.

“Our team was ready to return home and play in front of the Viking fans,” said Cain.  “We definitely came together as a team and played with a ton of energy and enthusiasm.  Our aggressive serve and serve receive allowed us to get control of the game and run our quick offense.”

The Vikings are 7-12 overall and 1-3 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play.  The seven wins breaks last season’s win mark of six.  Dana will host conference leader Morningside (15-0, 4-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Dakota Wesleyan (4-11, 1-3) on Saturday at 3 p.m.  JV games will proceed each match.

For More Information, please contact:

Shad Beam, Sports Information Director, 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu