VERMILLION, S.D.—Reigning Summit League Offensive Player of the Week Hayley Dotseth and senior Meagan Kerns powered the offense for South Dakota to a 3-0 victory over South Dakota State Friday in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-17. The win for South Dakota give the Coyotes the first point in this year's South Dakota Showdown Series.
 
Who Stood Out
Dotseth recorded match highs in both kills (12) and digs (16), tallying her ninth double-double of the season. Kerns slammed down 10 kills on 21 attempts to give her a .381 hitting percentage. Senior Brittany Jessen served up four services aces and 36 assists.
 
On defense, the three-time reigning Summit League Defensive Player of the Week, Anne Rasmussen, ended the night with 12 digs with Kristina Susak adding 10 more.
 
Turning Point
After South Dakota State took its first lead 9-7 the Coyotes went on a 10-5 run capped by back-to-back kills by Kerns that forced a South Dakota State timeout at 17-14. The Coyotes would take set two 25-17.
 
South Dakota started set three on a 6-0 run. The Jackrabbits would come within one points, 18-17, but that is as close as they'd come. Mehana Fonseca served the last five points for the Coyotes with the game point coming off an attack error by Jackrabbit Ashlynn Smith.
 
Notable

• South Dakota came into tonight's match sitting second in the league. After tonight's win, the Coyotes are in a tie for first with Oral Roberts, which plays Sunday. Both currently stand at 5-1 in the league.

Up Next
South Dakota continues the season on the road as the Coyotes play the Denver Pioneers at 2 p.m. Sunday.