Clutch Comets

Someone finally figured out how to beat the Dickinson State volleyball team in five games.

Mayville State put an end to the Blue Hawks' streak of winning matches that went the distance Friday night at Scott Gymnasium -- but just barely.

The Comets won the first two games and fought off DSU in a lively final game to seal the 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 15-12 Dakota Athletic Conference victory at Scott Gymnasium. DSU entered with a 6-0 record in five-game matches this season.

All of those wins came against DAC opponents, a statistic Mayville State coach Lindsey Kruse knew all too well.

"You've got to be aggressive against them in the fifth game because they're not going to make mistakes," Kruse said. "We found that out against them ... when we were at our place and they beat us in five."

On Sept. 26, the Blue Hawks beat Mayville State on the road in five games. Kruse said her team knew to keep up its intensity this time around.

"It kind of came down to the end there and we had some good decisions by some good kids," Kruse said.

In Game 5, the teams went back and forth through 12 points before the Comets pounced.

Kacie Fortmann and Betsy Winkler had back-to-back kills to set up game point and Alyssa Clancy, who had been dominant on the attack early in the match, sealed the game by blocking Blue Hawks sophomore Jennifer Hartman.

Hartman was a bright spot for DSU in the loss. She had 17 kills and five block assists and was consistent throughout. Karen Almeida had 11 kills and Micaela Parker added nine kills and 2½ blocks.

Hartman said the Blue Hawks' (9-13, 6-4 DAC) upset win against Black Hills State last Saturday gave them perhaps a little too much confidence.

"We kind of came into this game a little too confident in ourselves," Hartman said. "We've got to realize that we can't underestimate anyone."

The Comets (10-14, 3-7 DAC) controlled the bulk of Games 1 and 2 through their presence at the net through Clancy (12 kills, 4½ blocks) and Kacie Fortmann (13 kills, 1½ blocks).

"We just came out lackadaisical, tired, really tired. I don't know why," DSU coach Ryan Platt said. "Maybe all these five-gamers are kind of catching up to us a little bit. We just looked tired."

Leading 14-12 in Game 3, DSU used a five-point run to solidify its lead and keep the match going.

In Game 4, the Blue Hawks led 10-9 when they went on an eight-point run, which they needed later when Mayville State scored five unanswered points to trim the lead. DSU junior Karen Almeida eventually capped the game with a kill from the left side.

The Blue Hawks have an opportunity to bounce back when they host Dakota State (8-14, 3-7 DAC) at 3 p.m. today.

"You learn how to win by losing, so we'll just have to take this one as a lesson and move on," Hartman said.

MSU 25 25 20 19 15 -- 3

DSU 21 21 25 25 12 -- 2

Kills: MSU, Kacie Fortmann 13, Alyssa Clancy 12, Ashley Haines 11, Brianne Gebeke 9, Abagail Anderson 8. DSU, Jennifer Hartman 17, Karen Almeida 11, Micaela Parker 9, Lindsay Meyer 5, Crystal Franklin 4, Whitley Abrahamson 3, Sasha Bruels 1, Shaunda Dvorak 1, Myshada Rosado 1.

Blocks: MSU, Clancy 1 solo, 7 assist; Anderson 1 solo, 1 assist; Kacie Fortman 3 assist; Gebeke 3 assist; Haines 2 assist; Betsy Winkler 2 assist. DSU, Parker 1 solo, 3 assist; Franklin 1 solo, 1 assist; Dvorak 6 assist; Hartman 5 assist; Almeida 3 assist; Meyer 3 assist.

Aces: MSU, Fortmann 2, Winkler 2. DSU, Abrahamson 2, Meyer 1, Rosado 1.

Digs: MSU, Fortmann 27, Tara Thompson 22, Gebeke 13. DSU, Bruels 24, Shelby Thirsk 21, Bree-Anna Slykhuis 18, Abrahamson 17, Meyer 14.

Assists: MSU, Winkler 45. DSU, Abrahamson 26, Rosado 18.

Records: DSU 9-13, 6-4 DAC; MSU 10-14, 3-7 DAC.