VERMILLION, S.D.–South Dakota senior setter Brittany Jessen steadied the Coyote offense with 49 assists in a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Omaha. The scores were 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, 20-25 and 15-9.
 
South Dakota moves to 15-8 overall and 9-2 in The Summit League with tonight's win. Jessen led three Coyote attackers in double-figures for kills. Junior outside hitter Hayley Dotseth recorded a double-double with 22 kills and 17 digs. Junior middle blocker Taylor Wilson added 11 kills and junior outside hitter Kristina Susak posted 10 kills with 24 digs. Sophomore libero Anne Rasmussen led the Coyote defense with 38 digs while sophomore defensive specialist Mehana Fonseca pitched in more 17 digs.
 
Omaha (9-15, 6-5 Summit) also had three players in double-figures. Abby Bergsten led the way with 18 kills and Anna Blaschko pitched in 17 kills and 10 blocks. Gessica Gdowski tallied 11 kills and 19 digs. Libero Claire Mountjoy led the Mavericks defensively with 27 digs.
 
Turning Point
 
After the Mavericks snuck away with game one 25-23, the Coyotes ensured a tight battle through the second game. A diving save by Susak landed on the Mavericks' mid-court to begin a turnaround for the Yotes. USD trailed by two at that point, but would eventually tie it up for the first time of the set 22-22. The two teams traded points again as a service ace by Dotseth tied it 24-24. A block by Wilson and Elizabeth Loschen gave USD its first lead of the set at 26-25. Loschen hammered down match point as USD took the second game 27-25.
 
Going to Game 5
 
Entering tonight's match, the Coyotes had not played a fifth set since a Sept. 22 game against Western Illinois. In fact, the past five matches have all been decided in three sets. When South Dakota and Omaha again split the next two games, a fifth set was inevitable.
 
The fifth game continued rallies on both sides of the net. It was a service ace by Susak, with the ball grazing the net and dropping just inside the Mavericks' court, that broke the tie 7-6. South Dakota held the lead for the remainder of the game, winning the set 15-9 off a service error by Omaha's Kelli Nee.
 
Notables

• Jessen enters Sunday's match at Oral Roberts just 17 assists away from capturing South Dakota's all-time assists record (4,639, Tori Kroll, 2010-13).
• Additionally, Jessen sits fifth on The Summit League's career leaders list. Valparaiso's Stephanie Schuricht (1992-95) holds The Summit's all-time record with 4,993 assists.
• With tonight's win, South Dakota moves to 19-16 all-time against the Mavericks.
• South Dakota, Denver and Oral Roberts sit atop The Summit League standings with two losses in league play each. The Coyotes control their own destiny with a game against both teams remaining.