LARAMIE, Wyo.—Wyoming got a match-high 14 kills from Emily Lewis and eight more from Reed Copeland in topping South Dakota 3-0 Friday in the season opener for both teams. Scores went 25-21, 25-20, and 25-15. It was the first of two days for the Coyotes at the Rumble in the Rockies. The Coyotes face Portland at 11 a.m. (CT) Saturday followed by Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. (CT).
 
South Dakota junior Hayley Dotseth notched a double-double with team-highs of 10 kills and 13 digs. Junior Rachel Schmidt added nine kills for USD, which hit .196 during the match. Libero Anne Rasmussen had 10 digs and setter Brittany Jessen had 28 assists to go with three kills and five digs.
 
"This was a great test for us to begin the season," USD Head Coach Leanne Williamson said. "We saw some good things. Unfortunately, Wyoming was able to take us out of our system through their serving and transition offense. There are a number of things that we can learn from this match, and we will come back tomorrow looking to earn wins."
 
Wyoming hit .469 in the first set and .362 for the match. Four Cowgirls had at least six kills with fewer than three errors. Wyoming also put down seven aces while shutting out the Coyotes in the same category.
 
Marissa Harmon had 38 assists for Wyoming and Madi Fields tallied a match-high 15 digs. Wyoming, 18-13 a year ago, finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference last season. South Dakota, the defending Summit League champion, is opening its season in Laramie for the second time in the last three seasons.