VERMILLION, S.D.—North Dakota State's Erika Gelzinyte swatted down 15 kills and teammate Bella Lien added 10 kills with five blocks to hand South Dakota its first conference loss, 3-1, inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in two seasons. The scores went 25-11, 20-25, 21-25, 22-25.
South Dakota junior
Hayley Dotseth posted a double-double with 14 kills and 23 digs. Senior
Meagan Kerns and junior
Rachel Schmidt added 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Senior
Brittany Jessen kept the offense going with 44 assists.
In addition to Gelzinyte and Lien, North Dakota State's McKenzie Burke tallied 11 kills and 15 digs. Setter Brianna Rasmusson's line read 33 assists, 26 digs and five kills. Libero Mikaela Purnell tallied 20 digs and defensive specialist Abbi Klos added 17 digs for the Bison.
Turning Point
Although South Dakota easily handled set one, North Dakota State came out firing in set two. A kill by Kerns set up by Jessen would tie up the match 9-9, but a returning kill by Jessica Jorgensen for the Bison would give North Dakota State the lead. The Bison sustained the lead and took set two, 25-20. NDSU's momentum continued after the break as they took the next two sets 25-21 and 25-22.
Notables
- Jessen's nine digs now puts her at a career total 1,022 and 10th in the program.
- Dotseth's 23 digs are a season-best for her.
- South Dakota finished 8-0 at home in conference play last season. Tonight was the Coyotes first conference home loss in 10 games inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
Up Next
South Dakota hits the road to play its first Summit League road game at 6 p.m. Friday against Fort Wayne.
