FORT WAYNE, Ind.—South Dakota captured its first Summit League road win with a sweep against Fort Wayne as
Elizabeth Loschen led the Coyote offense with 10 kills and
Anne Rasmussen defended the back line with 27 digs. The scores went 25-19, 25-22, and 25-19.
Who Stood Out
Offensively, right behind Loschen,
Hayley Dotseth had a second-best nine kills with
Kristina Susak recording eight more.
Brittany Jessen recorded a double-double and ended the match with 13 digs and 30 assists.
Nicole Rightnowar led the effort for the Mastodon's offensive and defense as she recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs. Sydney Boerst recorded eight more kills for Fort Wayne with Katie Crowe adding defensively with 10 digs.
Turning Point
After a battle back and forth in set two, a service error by the Mastodons gave the Coyotes the lead 23-22.
Mehana Fonseca stepped behind the line to serve the final two points for South Dakota. A block by
Meagan Kerns would seal the deal 25-22 for the Coyotes.
Fort Wayne wouldn't take the lead the rest of the match. The Coyotes kept a two point cushion throughout the third set until a service error by Fort Wayne's Crowe pushed South Dakota ahead 20-17. South Dakota would go on a 5-2 run with a service ace by Fonseca giving the Coyotes the sweep.
Quotable
"Winning on the road in the Summit League is tough, so for our team to get a sweep in an opponent's gym says a lot about the determination of this team," Head Coach
Leanne Williamson said. "We served very aggressively which was a main factor in our success"
"Loschen had a fantastic night to lead our offense, and Annie was incredible in the backcourt," Williamson said. "They led our team from the start of the match."
Notable
- This was the 14th meeting for the Coyotes and Mastodons. USD leads the series 8-6.
- Jessen's double-double this match is her sixth of the season.
- The match-high 10 kills that Loschen recorded is a season-best for her.
- Loschen's 10 kills on 21 attempts gave her a .429 hitting percentage, which is a season-best and a match-high.
- There were 12 ties and six lead changes in the second set.
- South Dakota is now 8-7 overall and 2-1 in the Summit, while Fort Wayne is 8-10 overall and 0-3 in the Summit.
Up Next
The Coyotes return to action Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Oral Roberts at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.