DWU swept by Northwestern

The Dakota Wesleyan volleyball team dropped its fifth-straight match as it lost in straight sets to Northwestern College Wednesday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

With the loss, the Tigers’ record dropped to 4-19 on the season and 0-6 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

“We’re playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores, so it’s still relatively new playing together,” said DWU head coach Eric Viney, whose team lost 25-19, 25-23, 25-11. “It comes down to can we earn points rather than just waiting for the other team to make an error, and we’re waiting for the mistake right now.”

Northwestern improved to 16-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

Viney said Sam Sandau and Rachel Tinklenberg, who have been out with minor injuries in the past few weeks, have returned into the Tiger lineup.

“Entering them back into the lineup and getting them back in playing shape has been our battle right now,” he said. “Once Tinklenberg is back at full strength, she will balance out our offense a little more.”

Tinklenberg tallied five kills and Sandau added seven kills and two digs for the Tigers.

Danielle Bird led DWU offensively with nine kills and five digs in the loss, while Briana Jung recorded 20 set assists, nine digs and one kill.

DWU looks to earn a win in its next match as it hosts Concordia University at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace.

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