2017 NAIA Tournament
- Lindsey Wilson def. Dordt (Iowa) 3-1, (25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 25-14)
- Lindsey Wilson improved to 35-0, Dordt ended season at 24-8
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Match Stats
Lindsey Wilson was able to take down Dordt (Iowa) in four sets to claim their first-ever NAIA championship in an undefeated season for the Blue Raiders who have only dropped five-sets on the year.
For the second straight season, Dordt entered the championship match but was halted, having the title taken away from them by another squad. Last year’s champion, Hastings (Neb.) did not even make it into the semifinals of the 2017 tournament. This is the second time that Lindsey Wilson has made it to at least the semifinals of the NAIA Tournament but their first taste at the championship match.
The first set of the match saw Lindsey Wilson show off their dominance as they quickly claimed the first 25-16. Dordt came out stronger in the second that saw some back-and-forth play that resulted in a Blue Raiders second set 25-23.
Dordt began the third set with more authority and avoided the sweep by claiming one of the five sets the Blue Raiders dropped all season 25-20. The third set loss sparked something in Lindsey Wilson as they forged ahead to take the fourth by a large margin 25-14 to claim the national title.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS #UNDEFEATED #35-0 ?? #FAMILY #LWCVOLLEYBALL pic.twitter.com/aD0qY1O27z
— LWC Volleyball (@LWCVolleyball) December 3, 2017
Paulina Sobolewska led the way for the Blue Raiders with 20 kills and 19 digs for a double-double while Elly Burke posted another 11 kills and a team-best 24 digs to post a double-double. In the backcourt, Lauren Streets and Caitlyn Tino picked up 14 and 18 digs, respectively.
For Dordt, Leah Kamp recorded 20 kills while Ema Altena added 11 and 10 digs for a double-double. Setter Jamie Gesink also posted a double-double with 50 assists and 10 digs. In the back row, three other Dordt players picked up double-digit digs – Summer Jansen (29), Erica Bousema (14) and Aubrey Drake (12).
NAIA All-Tournament Team
- Emma Altena, Dordt
- Libby Dahlberg, Westmont (Calif.)
- Alissa Flint, Park (Mo.)
- Natalie Geidel, Viterbo (Wis.)
- Alaina Gentili, Corban (Ore.)
- Amelia Grahn, Viterbo
- Morgan Hensch, Jamestown (N.D.)
- Kristina Medanovic, Missouri Baptist
- Priscilla O’Dowd, Midland (Neb.)
- Katie Placke, Hastings (Neb.)
- Paulina Sobolewska, Lindsey Wilson
- Jackie van Vliet, College of Idaho
- Leah Kamp, Dordt
- Elly Burke, Lindsey Wilson
Libero of the Year – Simmer Jansen, Dordt
Most Valuable Player – Makenzie Montano, Lindsey Wilson
Tournament Coach of the Year – Andy Cavins, Lindsey Wilson
Champions of Character Team – Dordt
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