DICKINSON — Carroll College added another victory to a standout early-season run Thursday night, downing Dickinson State in four sets to improve its record and complete the third of four matches on a North Dakota swing.
Balanced offense carries Saints
The Saints used a well-distributed attack to overcome a second-set lull and claim a 3-1 decision over the Blue Hawks. Carroll’s front line was led by senior outside hitter Lauren Heuiser, who posted a team-high 13 kills. Her sister, sophomore Birdie Heuiser, chipped in 12 kills, while senior McKaila Balcom added 11 to give Carroll three players in double figures.
Behind that production, Carroll managed to regroup after losing the second set, coming back to win the third and fourth sets by convincing margins. The Saints were efficient at key moments and limited Dickinson State’s opportunities late in the match.
Defense and distribution
On the defensive end, sophomore libero Sofia Kimmel anchored the backcourt with a match-high 26 digs, repeatedly stalling Dickinson State attacks and allowing Carroll to transition into offense. Setter Jansyn Carrizales finished with 23 assists, directing the offense and keeping the Blue Hawks off balance.
Carroll also received a strong effort at the net from Lauren Heuiser and redshirt sophomore Kaylen Hay, who each recorded three blocks. Those rejections helped swing momentum in the third and fourth sets as the Saints pushed to close out the match.
- Final: Carroll 3, Dickinson State 1
- Set scores: 25-13, 15-25, 25-13, 25-18
- Top offensive leaders: Lauren Heuiser (13 kills), Birdie Heuiser (12), McKaila Balcom (11)
- Defensive leader: Sofia Kimmel (26 digs)
Match flow
Carroll seized control early in the opening set, building a lead with a decisive run that the Blue Hawks could not answer. Dickinson State responded in the second set, exploiting a drop in Carroll’s hitting efficiency to level the match. From there, the Saints recalibrated and regained command, producing two convincing set wins to seal the contest.
Despite the second-set setback — when Carroll’s attack struggled to find consistency — the team demonstrated depth and resilience. The frontcourt rotation produced timely kills, and the defense produced the necessary resistance to thwart rallies from the home squad.
| Player | Kills | Digs | Assists | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Heuiser (Sr.) | 13 | 3 | ||
| Birdie Heuiser (So.) | 12 | |||
| McKaila Balcom (Sr.) | 11 | |||
| Sofia Kimmel (So.) | 26 | |||
| Jansyn Carrizales (Sr.) | 23 |
Context and implications
The victory keeps Carroll atop its early-season stretch, improving the Saints’ overall mark and conference standing. It also capped another strong outing on their multi-game stop through North Dakota, following sweeps earlier in the week. For Dickinson State, the contest provided competitive moments and a set win that illustrated the Blue Hawks’ ability to challenge a nationally competitive opponent.
Carroll’s next game completes the North Dakota trip; the team will aim to preserve its momentum and sustain the balanced scoring and defensive intensity that delivered this win. For fans tracking the Frontier Conference race, the Saints’ continued success will be a storyline to watch as conference play progresses.
Statistics from the match highlight a collective effort by Carroll: several players contributed in meaningful ways on offense, while the defense and setting were steady enough to convert opportunities and close out tight stretches.
Coverage will continue as the Saints conclude their road slate in the coming days.
