Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
“We are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said Dixie State head coach Robyn Felder. “Our senior leadership has kept us composed. We don’t get rattled when we get down five points. They know how to get out of binds.”
Dixie State scored seven of the first eight points of the opening set and held a 15-9 lead midway through the stanza. APU would rattle off four-straight points to close the deficit to 15-13, but the Trailblazers responded with a 10-3 spurt to win the set 25-16 to go up 1-0 in the match.
APU came out aggressive early in set two and raced to an 11-6 lead and was in the driver’s seat at 18-15. DSU would again put together another run as the Trailblazers scored 10 of the final 13 points of the stanza en route to a 25-21 victory and a commanding two-set lead. Dixie State never trailed in the decisive third stanza and led by as many as nine points late in the frame before closing out the match with a 25-17 set win.
Eight of DSU’s 11 players who saw time in the match registered at least one kill, led by outside hitter Delayne Daniel who connected for a match-high 10 kills. Daniel also posted her eighth double-double of the year with a team-high 10 digs.
DSU hit .244 in the match, including a .308 clip in set one. Dixie State’s defense held APU to a .090 hitting percentage, thanks to 43 digs and 10 total team blocks. Middle blocker Lindsay Garrett finished with six blocks to go with five kills, while OH Taylor Duryea had four blocks and six kills. Setter Kailey Frei led the team with 26 assists and also had seven digs.
“Delayne Daniel is always solid, both on attack and defensively,” said Felder. “And Lindsay Garrett had a phenomenal game blocking. We have the luxury of a great second squad. In practice they make it their mission to outplay the starters, and often do. They have been instrumental in preparing us for the tough competition we face in the PacWest.”
Dixie State will now head out on its annual Hawaiian road swing next week, starting with its final road match ever at BYU-Hawaii on Friday, Oct. 14. DSU will also play at Hawai’i Pacific on Saturday, Oct. 15, and at Hawai’i Hilo on Monday, Oct. 17.
“The Hawaii trip is always fun but can also be a challenge,” said Felder. “The long flight and the time change are always difficult. But throw in the hot gyms and the good opposing teams forces you to bring your best game.”
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Megan Huddleston (9), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Megan Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Brette Anderson (10), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Megan Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Delayne Daniel (2) and Kayla Chapman (13), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Taylor Duryea (4), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Brette Anderson (10) and Kayla Chapman (13), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Kailey Frei (1), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Kayla Chapman (13), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Taylor Duryea (4), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Lindsay Garrett (3), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Megan Huddleston (9), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Lindsay Garrett (3), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Delayne Daniel (2), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Taylor Duryea (4), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Jaclyn Condie (5), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Sidney Brandon (7), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Sidney Brandon (7), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Kailey Frei (1), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State's Lindsay Garrett (3), Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie State University vs Azusa Pacific University, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
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