LARAMIE, Wyo. - The South Dakota volleyball team (0-3) played hard but came up short at the Rumble in the Rockies. The Coyotes lost both matches on Saturday, first to host Wyoming (2-0) in straight sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-16. The Coyotes played Ohio State (2-1) in their second game and lost 25-13, 25-11, 25-22.
 
The Coyotes put together early runs in the first two sets against Wyoming. In the first set, South Dakota was up 6-2 before Wyoming scored three straight to close the gap and eventually outlasted the Coyotes. In the second set, the Coyotes were again up 6-2 but the Cowgirls fought back and went on an 8-2 run to go up 10-8. Wyoming would go on to win set two and the match.
 
"We started to see our potential offensively which we will look to build on going forward," said head coach Leanne Williamson.
 
Senior Sidney Dimke led the charge against the Cowgirls with 10 kills. Sophomore Brittany Jessen added a match-high 22 assists.
 
The Cowgirls attack was even as no player had over 10 kills. Laura Beach led her team with 8 kills.
 
In the second match of the day against the Buckeyes, senior Kelsey Biltoft had five kills on eight attempts and had an attack percentage of .625. Jessen added 23 assists and junior Audrey Reeg had 11 digs.
 
Ohio State's Elizabeth Campbell led her squad with 18 kills and had an attack percentage of .517. Emily Ruetter added 36 assists.
 
"This weekend was a challenge and we knew it would be," said Williamson. "We learned a lot about ourselves individually and as a team. That will ultimately help us improve this next week so we can be ready to compete again this next weekend."
 
South Dakota will travel to Tucson, Ariz., for a tournament this next weekend. The Coyotes will face host Arizona on Friday at 8 p.m. On Saturday, they will play Cal State Northridge and end the tournament with Florida A&M.