Box Score The Dordt Defenders earned a road win over Health Sciences & Pharmacy in four sets Saturday morning in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dordt prevailed 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20.

Box Score (PDF)

The Defenders opened the match with a dominant 5-0 run, fueled by a kill and an ace from Joel Van Groningen. UHSP managed to claw back within three points at 11-8 following a block by Cooper Hansen and Cameron Werner. Dordt responded with a 4-0 run to extend the lead back to 15-9. Despite a late 3-0 Eutectic run that brought the score to 24-22, Kai Chapman slammed home a kill to secure the frame for Dordt, 25-22.

UHSP flipped the script early in the second, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Dordt responded immediately with a 3-0 run to keep it close. The defining moment came late; with the score tied at 17-17, the Defenders ignited a 4-0 run behind the serving of Cade Schmidt, including three kills by Cory Kuperus, to go up 21-17. A late service error by UHSP handed the Defenders another 25-22 win.

The third set was the most competitive, featuring multiple lead changes. After Dordt took a 6-3 lead, UHSP went on a 5-0 run to take an 8-6 advantage. The Defenders fought back to tie the game at 23-23 following a Cade Schmidt kill. However, the Eutectics won the final two points—a kill by Cooper Hansen followed by a kill from Grant Hoover—to take the set 25-23.

Dordt left no doubt in the fourth. Leading 7-6, the Defenders utilized a 3-0 run to create breathing room at 10-6. Later in the set, a massive 4-0 run—highlighted by two kills from Kai Chapman and a bad set by UHSP—extended the Dordt lead to 15-9. The Defenders maintained control, and Cory Kuperus ended the match with a kill from Joseph Jang to win it 25-20.

Dordt is now 12-4 overall and 4-2 in the HAAC and will play Clarke and Mount Mercy on February 27 and 28 on the road.

Dordt Leaders
Kills: Joel Van Groningen (21) , Kai Chapman (10) , Cade Schmidt (10)
Assists: Joseph Jang (30) , Justin Hofman (10) , McCullough Unruh (8)
Digs: Colt Schmidt (14) , Joel Van Groningen (8) , Cade Schmidt (8)
Blocks: Cory Kuperus (9 total - 9 assisted) , Kai Chapman (5 assisted) , Lance Vermeer (4 total - 3 solo, 1 assisted)

Team Comparisons
Kills: Dordt 57 , UHSP 45
Kill Efficiency (K%): Dordt .216 , UHSP .190
Service Aces: Dordt 5 , UHSP 3
Service Errors: Dordt 16 , UHSP 10
Points from Blocks: Dordt 13.0 points , UHSP 8.0 points