MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan came back from a second set loss to win the third and fourth sets on Saturday night to beat St. Xavier in the opening round of the NAIA Volleyball National Championship Tournament (25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22). DWU hosted the opening round at the Corn Palace.
Tigers libero Hannah Reiff finished with 29 digs. DWU spread the attack around with Ady Dwight and Mariah Gloe leading the way with 10 kills. Mackenzie Miller and Jadie Delange added nine kills apiece. Setter Madeline Else finished with 41 assists.
“I am thrilled. I am so thrilled. If you would have told freshman or sophomore me here at DWU that we would be playing at the national tournament — let alone at the Corn Palace — I would have not believed you,” the senior outside hitter DeLange said.
The Tigers move onto pool play in the tournament, which will start on Nov. 30.