The Valley City State volleyball team came up short in its Senior Day matchup against Dakota State, falling to the Trojans in five sets, 21-25, 25-14, 28-30, 25-20, 15-4.
After suffering a straight-set loss to Dakota State earlier in the season in Madison, the Vikings came out strong, jumping to an 8-0 lead in the opening set. Senior Gracie Schumacher helped fuel the early advantage with her serving, while the Trojans struggled to generate quality opportunities at the net.
Dakota State managed to cut the deficit to five points with a three-point run, but VCSU maintained control the rest of the way to take the opening set, 25-21. Sophomore Madden Bogenreif led the way for the Vikings, finishing among the team’s top two in both assists and kills.
The Trojans responded emphatically in the second set, rolling to a 25-14 victory. Dakota State controlled the middle stages of the set behind the offensive production of Macey Wathern and Kaedyn Sapp, along with strong defensive play from libero Kate VanRooyan.
The third set proved to be a tightly contested battle, with neither team able to establish consistent separation. VCSU eventually built an 18-14 advantage, forcing a Dakota State timeout. The break sparked an 8-0 run by the Trojans, who turned a four-point deficit into a 22-18 lead.
The Vikings responded with a determined rally of their own, fighting back to tie the set and force extra points. VCSU continued to fend off Dakota State’s attempts to close out the set before Bogenreif delivered the winning kill in a 30-28 victory, giving the Vikings a 2-1 match advantage.
Dakota State again held the lead through much of the fourth set, but VCSU battled back to tie the score at 18-18. The Trojans then found their offensive rhythm, closing the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-20 and force a decisive fifth set.
The Vikings were unable to carry their momentum into the final set, as Dakota State took control early and rolled to a 15-4 victory to secure the match.
The loss leaves VCSU with an 8-21 record.
