No.13 Northwestern College powered past Dakota State in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-18) in a non-conference match-up played tonight in the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders improve to 4-1 on the year while DSU drops to 0-5. 

The Red Raiders led from start to finish in their 25-17 first set win, holding Dakota State to just a 7% kill efficiency. Up by two (10-8), the hosts pulled away with a 9-3 run, capped by successive kills by Anna Kiel and Lauryn Hilger. Josie Blankespoor led the Northwestern attack with six kills in the first set. 

A four-point service run by Hilger put the Red Raiders in front for good midway through a tight second set while a pair of kills by Kiel late finished off Dakota State in set two, 25-22. 
  Northwestern showcased its power both in the service box and at the net in the third, hitting .552 and serving six aces, in its 25-18 win. Makenzie Fink and Karsyn Winterfeld both tallied two aces during a decisive 8-1 run. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern maintained its unbeaten streak against Dakota State, improving to 17-0 all-time, dating back to the 1989 season

Kiel put down a match-high 13 kills, hitting for double figures for the fourth time in five matches this season. 

Blankespoor hit an impressive .688 and set a new career high with 12 kills; Horstman added 12 kills, giving the Red Raiders three players in double figures.

Wacker lofted up 44 assists and Fink led all players with four of the Red Raiders eight aces. 

Hilger (13 digs), Horstman (12 digs) and Fink (10 digs) were the leaders in the back row; Horstman recorded her fourth career double-double.

Northwestern hit .348 for the match and held DSU to .140

Sami Zell led the Trojans with seven kills