FARGO, N.D.—South Dakota ends the weekend 2-0 after the Coyotes came out on top after a tough three-set battle with North Dakota State to break the Bison's three-game win streak. The score went 25-23, 27-25 and 26-24.
 
Who Stood Out
The wealth was spread through the Coyote offense as Hayley Dotseth led the team with eight kills while Brittany Jessen, Taylor Wilson and Elizabeth Loschen each put up seven kills. Wilson's seven kills on 13 attempts gave her an impressive .462 hitting percentage for the match. Jessen ended with three service aces and 29 assists.
 
The defense was strong for South Dakota as three Coyotes recorded double-digits in digs. Anne Rasmussen led the defensive effort with 17 digs. Dotseth contributed 13 and Jessen added 11 more.
 
For the Bison, Erika Gelzinyte tallied 15 kills with McKenzie Burke adding 10 more. Brianna Rasmusson finished the match with 40 assists and 16 digs. Defensively, Mikaela Purnell led the Bison with 23 digs as Abbi Klos added 12 more to the effort.
 
Turning Point
The battle did not stop after South Dakota claimed the first two sets. There were nine tie scores and four lead changes in the third set only. A 3-0 run would give the Coyotes the lead with a kill by Kristina Susak set up by Jessen to make the score 16-15. South Dakota would extend the run to 7-1 to put the score at 20-16 with Mehana Fonseca serving six of the points during the run. A block by Wilson and Susak gave the Coyotes set three 26-24.
 
Quotable
"Today was a great day for our team. We have battled, and continue to battle through so much adversity," head coach Leanne Williamson said. "This team just continues to make things happen in difficult circumstances. It was great to see us so composed in the later portion of each set in a very tough environment.
 
"Britt did a great job of moving the ball around and keeping their defense guessing. Taylor Wilson put two great matches back-to-back, which was key for our two victories this weekend. We could not be more excited to be home next weekend in front of our home fans in the SCSC."
 
Notable

• Jessen's 29 assists and 11 digs makes this her eighth double-double of the season.
• Both USD and NDSU came into today's match 6-2 in the Summit League and tied for second. The result of today's match put South Dakota (13-8 overall, 7-2 league) in second place and North Dakota State (15-6 overall, 6-3 league) in fourth. Oral Roberts is currently in first with an 8-1 record in the league.
• With this win over North Dakota State, South Dakota has avenged one of two losses in league play.

Up Next
South Dakota hosts Fort Wayne in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center at 7 p.m. Friday.