Dakota Wesleyan University couldn’t hand Dordt (Iowa) its first loss of the season on Wednesday. In the Tigers’ home opener at the Corn Palace, the Defenders earned a four-set Great Plains Athletic Conference win, 25-13, 22-25, 25-12 and 25-19.
After a slow start, DWU jumped out to an 8-4 advantage in the second set. Dordt tied the match at 14-14, and then took a one-point 18-17 lead later in the set. Led by kills from Mitchell native Mackenzie Miller and Jadie DeLange, the Tigers won four straight points to take control of the set. It ended the set on an 8-4 run, as DeLange put down one of her team-high 12 kills to close out the set.
Dordt rebounded by winning two straight sets to take the match and hand DWU its second loss of the season.
Mariah Gloe finished with nine kills and McKenzie Buisker chipped in seven kills. Madeline Else dished out 35 assists to go with 12 digs. Hanna Reiff and Dannielle Burns recorded 16 and 10 digs, respectively. Miller added six kills in the loss.
DWU (5-2, 2-2 GPAC) hosts Briar Cliff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Corn Palace.
