Sept. 25, 2012

USD-CU Box

OMAHA, Neb. - South Dakota took several steps forward despite dropping its final non-conference game of the season to Creighton, 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21.

The Coyotes (7-9, 1-3 in Summit League) had trouble stopping the Bluejays' Leah McNary and Kelli Browning.  McNary recorded 20 kills while Browning had 18 in the match.  Browning, the Missouri Valley's block leader, also had six block assists in the match.  Creighton, which is receiving votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, is now 12-2 overall. 

However, Coyote head coach Matt Houk was impressed with the Coyotes performance, and saw several things to build on the rest of the season.

"We played well tonight," Houk said. "That was probably the best team we played all season.  I am really hoping that gets us going, because Creighton is a fantastic team."

The Coyotes kept Creighton busy on defense with three Blueays reaching at least 15 digs.  Kendall Kritenbrink (Gretna, Neb.) led the Coyotes with 17 kills, while Kim Bulaga (Crystal Lake, Ill.) had a double-double with 13 kills, which is her season high, and 10 digs.  Amber Aschoff (Ankeny, Iowa) also added nine kills in the match. 

South Dakota had a good night serving, and topped the Creighton in aces 9-4.  Natalie Walseth (Inver Grove Heights, Minn), Tori Kroll (Germantown, Wis.), and Katie Bunkers (Columbus, Neb.) all had two aces. 

Riley Haug (Gretna, Neb.) was the top defender for USD with 16 digs, while Bunkers added 11 digs.

South Dakota will host Kansas City in a conference match on Saturday at 7 p.m.