Royals Volleyball Wraps First Round of Conference Play with Key Victories and 20th Win
The Royals Volleyball team finished up their first round of MonDak Conference play this week with a win on the road against Williston State College and then a home win against Dakota College at Bottineau. The match against Williston was a tough 5-set match that went into extra points in the 5th set. This week, the team also achieved their 20th win on the season with their win against Dakota College at Bottineau. The Royals still have a full round of conference matches yet to play and five nonconference matches before they head into Regional Play-offs in the beginning of November.
Here are the statistical leaders so far on the season:
Kills
Anne Stroklund, Freshman, Kenmare, ND – 274 Total Kills; 2.82 kills/set
Katie Leece, Sophomore, Cartwright, MB – 208 Total Kills; 2.08 kills/set
Lexie Shearer, Sophomore, Glenboro, MB – 191 Total Kills; 2.45 kills/set
Kaitlyn Erickstad, Sophomore, Webster, ND – 120 Total Kills; 1.67 kills/set
Madison Samuelson, Freshman, Sarles, ND – 111 Total Kills; 2.85 kills/set
Assists
Sydney Schwabe, Sophomore, Thompson, ND – 832 Total Assists; 8.32 assists/set
Torri Fee, Freshman, Devils Lake, ND – 81 Total Assists; .81 assists/set
Digs
Torri Fee – 453 Total Digs; 4.53 digs/set
Sydney Schwabe – 328 Total Digs; 3.28 digs/set
Leah Jacobson, Sophomore, Underwood, ND – 184 Total Digs; 2.33 digs/set
Madison Samuelson – 142 Total Digs; 3.64 digs/set
Jorie Ahlberg, Freshman, Wolford, ND – 167 Total Digs; 1.80 digs/set
Blocks
Kaitlyn Erickstad – 44 Total Blocks; .61 blocks/set
Lexie Shearer – 36 Total Blocks; .46 blocks/set
Service Aces
Sydney Schwabe – 35 Total Service Aces; .35 aces/set
Torri Fee – 23 Total Service Aces; .23 aces/set
This Royals Volleyball team is extremely balanced; there have been numerous contributors to each our matches this season. There are many hitters who have the ability to score, and the defense that they play helps to keep the rallies going and put them in a strong position to score.
Coach Waddell had this to say about the team: "This team came into preseason on a mission. We have players who have been a part of winning traditions, and that has made a huge difference for us. I have been impressed with how this team has been able to finish tough matches through extreme mental toughness. We are not immune to mistakes, but the reaction to the mistakes has been extremely impressive. I'm confident that we will continue to get better as we move through the season, and there will be a lot more excitement to come for this team! I'm incredibly proud of all of the hard work from everyone on our roster; the team-first mentality has truly been something special, and I'm convinced that this is why we have been as successful as we've been this season. Most importantly, this team has set high goals for themselves, and they have been working very hard this season to achieve those goals. I couldn't be more proud to coach this team."
Currently, the Royals are sitting at 20-7 overall, and a conference record of 4-1. The team will head out on the road to Virginia, Minnesota for a triangular against MN North College-Mesabi Range and MN North College-Rainy River on Saturday, October 4th before heading to Montana to play Rocky Mountain JV on Monday, October 6th. Then, they will have two conference matches: Dawson Community College in Glendive, MT on Tuesday, October 7th, and then they will travel to Miles City on Wednesday, October 8th.