Dakota State University rallied from a 2-0 deficit Saturday in Valley City as the Trojan volleyball team defeated VCSU 18-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 15-8 in a North Star Athletic Association conference match.

The Vikings were in control throughout the first two sets, but after playing five sets Friday night in a win over Presentation College, VCSU appeared to run out of gas down the stretch Saturday. Dakota State turned the momentum with a 25-20 win in set three, and then handily won sets four and five for the comeback victory.

Valley City State drops to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in NSAA play. Dakota State improves to 9-9 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Chelzie-Kristina Ulu led the Vikings with 12 kills, two aces and three block assists. Seri Geisler had 10 kills, Kanani Auwae added nine and Autumn Johnson tallied eight kills.

Steph Miller recorded 30 assists and five service aces for VCSU. Taylor Balkan had 15 assists and nine digs.

The Vikings played short-handed Saturday as starting libero Jaycee George sat out the match after suffering an injury late in the victory Friday against Presentation College. Hailie Wilds moved to libero Saturday and recorded 15 digs and an ace. Tabitha Miller added 12 digs and two aces.

Alicia Karst led the Trojan attack with 15 kills and 2.5 block points. Carly Rozell recorded a double-double for Dakota State with 13 kills and 18 digs. Tessa Weeldreyer added 10 kills. Kaylee Vander Wal recorded 24 assists and 12 digs, and Rachel Johnson had 20 assists. Libero Chelsey Davis had a big match with 30 digs.

Dakota State out-hit the Vikings .255 to .141 in the match, and out-blocked the Vikings 9-5.

Up next: VCSU hits the road for conference matches Friday at Dickinson State and Saturday at the University of Jamestown. Dakota State hosts Presentation College for a conference match Sept. 24.