The Dixie State University volleyball team outlasted Point Loma Nazarene University Nov. 19 to win its final game of the season.
Though the season did not go the way the team wanted it to, the Trailblazers rallied at the end and finished off the 2016 season on a high note.
After a devastating three-game losing streak near the end of the season that dug an inescapable playoff hole this season, the Trailblazers rebounded to win their final two games of the season, locking up third place in the Pacific West Conference.
“It was an fun and emotional game for us,”said senior setter Kailey Frei, an elementary education major from Orem. “It was a great team win and a great way to end the season.”
Against PLNU, DSU led the whole way in the first set. The Trailblazers took a commanding 10-4 lead and never looked back.
PLNU battled back to take the second set and midway through the third set it seemed like DSU was on the ropes. Down 14-9, the Trailblazers fought back and won 25-21.
Momentum carried DSU home and with a .222 hitting percentage and aggressive-style play, DSU held on in the fourth set 25-20, thanks in part to senior outside hitter Delayne Daniel who recorded 17 kills in her final game as a Trailblazer.
“If it was a great way to end the season,” head coach Robyn Felder said. “I loved watching the girls battle through. We learned a lot of lessons this season, and it was fun to see us put it all together these last two matches. I am proud of their effort and hard work this season.”
By finishing third in PacWest play, DSU will be missing out on the opportunity to defend its 2015 PacWest conference championship status.
“This season didn’t pan out exactly as we hoped, but it was still a successful one,” said senior right-side hitter Megan Huddleston, a psychology major from Provo. “We ended up as third, which I’m very proud of. We worked hard, won some big games, and I think [we learned] a lot of lessons that will be valuable for next season.”
DSU will be losing four seniors after this season including Frei, Huddleston, Daniel and middle blocker Lindsay Garrett. But with a majority of the team coming back, Huddleston said the team will work hard this offseason and come back even stronger.
