MITCHELL – Talk about a program on the rise. Prior to 2021, DWU volleyball had just one prior national tournament appearance in its history and no NAIA national tournament wins. That first game last season, when Dakota Wesleyan made it to the GPAC Tournament semifinals and ultimately earned a home match at the Corn Palace in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.

In that match, DWU dfeated Saint Xavier in four sets for the program’s first-ever national postseason win and then won its second-ever match at that level over Grand View.

Only Park University, which eventually went on to be the runner up at the NAIA National Tournament in Sioux City, IA, could stop the DWU Tigers – eliminating them in three sets.

After a year of firsts, the Tigers return everyone except the graduated outside hitter Jadie DeLange. At the center of the attack in the front row is NAIA All-American First-Team middle blocker (Jr. – Langford, SD). That was another first for the program, as Dwight was the first-ever All-American first-team selection.

She recorded 473 kills and 136 blocks as a sophomore but comes in as a junior potentially even more dangerous. Dwight suffered a significant ankle injury at the beginning of last year, which hampered her ability to run slide attacks. Now recovered, Dwight will spend two rotations in the front row this year with setter Madeline Else (Sr. – Holstein, IA), and will be relied upon to play within a more diverse attack this season.

Else was a second team All-Conference selection last year as a setter and was named NAIA Setter of the Week as well. In addition, the Tigers return All-Conference honorable mention selections in opposite hitter Mackenzie Miller (Sr. – Mitchell, SD) and outside hitter Mariah Gloe (Sr. – Watertown).

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Brunsing (So. – Wagner, SD) could be due for a breakout sophomore season after recording 220 kills in 120 sets played this season. Outside Taylee Indahl (Jr. – Burke) could become part of the regular rotation as well after seeing 38 sets in 2021.

DWU head volleyball coach Lindsay Wilber stresses the importance of defense and passing to her team’s success. The Libero Reiff recorded 730 digs in 122 sets played. Reiff will be joined in the back line by defensive specialists Callie Slagter (So. – Willmar, MN), Tay Weideman (Jr. – Mellette, SD) and Dannielle Burns (Sr. – Raymond, MN).

Dakota Wesleyan kicked off its season on Thursday (Aug. 18) with a three-set sweep over Georgetown College at the Chick-Fil-A Classic in three sets (25-10, 25-18, 25-9) to begin the year 1-0.