The Wayne State University volleyball team opened its 2025 season with a 4-0 record, marking the first time since 2021 that the program has achieved this start. The Warriors secured victories in all four matches of the Warrior Invitational, held over two days in Detroit. On Saturday, Wayne State defeated Cedarville 3-1 and later overcame Winona State in a five-set match.
“Outstanding first weekend for the Warriors,” said head coach Tim Koth. “That match against Winona State was a true team effort. Kayla (Giroux) and Kayla (Dulgar) deserved their All-Tournament selections. They were outstanding leaders and we’re looking forward to what’s next!”
Kayla Giroux was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after recording a .487 hitting percentage with 64 kills and only nine errors on 113 attacks. Kayla Dulgar joined her on the All-Tournament Team, contributing 169 assists—an average of more than ten per set—along with 55 digs and ten assisted blocks. Dulgar’s performance moved her up to seventh place on Wayne State’s career assists chart with a total of 2,292.
Wayne State ended a nine-match losing streak in five-set contests by defeating Winona State. The last time the Warriors won such a match was prior to the 2023 season; they had gone winless in six five-set matches last fall and posted one win against five losses in similar situations during the previous year.
The All-Tournament Team included MVP Giroux and Dulgar from Wayne State, Kenna Kornely and Abby Ongna from Winona State, Cassi Shields and Janae Heegaard from Cedarville, and Renee Brines from Northwood.
In their first match against Cedarville, Wayne State posted a .240 hitting percentage with 45 kills across four sets. Giroux and Katie Smith each finished with twelve kills while Dulgar recorded her twenty-second career double-double by adding sixteen digs to her thirty-five assists. Katerina Stout led defensively with six assisted blocks.
Against Winona State, Giroux matched her personal best with twenty-three kills at a .528 clip. Dulgar notched her twenty-third career double-double by tallying fifty-five assists and fourteen digs—the ninth time she has surpassed fifty assists as a Warrior. Paige Giehtbrock contributed three service aces while Stout again led in blocks.
Wayne State’s next competition will build upon its undefeated start as it prepares for upcoming matches later this month.
