Dickinson State again tabbed as DAC favorite

It’s a new year, a new coach, but the same old expectations for the Dickinson State volleyball team.

The Blue Hawks are favored to win their ninth consecutive conference title.

Ryan Platt takes the reins this season for Dave Moody, who resigned after last season. The Blue Hawks, coming off a 30-4 season, edged Black Hills State in a close vote among Dakota Athletic Conference coaches.

Both Dickinson State and Black Hills State (22-5 last season) got four first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own clubs. But the Blue Hawks edged the Yellow Jackets by one point (44-43) in the league’s preseason poll.

South Dakota Mines (23-6 in 2007) edged Jamestown College (21-9 in 2007) for third place in the poll.

The Jimmies return two all-conference players from last season. Outside hitter Shannon Fee earned second-team all-DAC honors as a freshman, and junior libero Lauren Wieler was honored in her first season with the Jimmies after transferring from Williston State. JC graduated two all-DAC players in setter Kristi Senftner and outside hitter Megan Dooley.

The Jimmies open the season Aug. 22-23 at the DAC/Frontier Conference crossover in Dickinson. They will play Carroll (Mont.), Montana-Western, Rocky Mountain (Mont.) and Montana Tech in the two-day event. JC’s home opener is set for Sept. 16 against North Dakota.

Dakota Athletic Conference Volleyball

Rank Team 2007 records Pts.

1. Dickinson State (4) 30-4 14-0 44

2. Black Hills State (4) 22-5 11-3 43

3. South Dakota Mines 23-6 9-5 39

4. Jamestown College 21-9 9-5 33

5. Valley City State 13-19 4-10 22

6. (tie) Mayville State 11-20 4-10 17

6. (tie) Minot State 7-16 4-10 17

8. Dakota State 6-25 1-13 9

Tags: dickinsonstate, volleyball, dac