SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Wichita State hit .246 and defeated South Dakota in a season-opening volleyball match played Friday at Hammons Student Center. Game scores were 25-20, 25-19, 26-24.
 
The Shockers were led by Nicole Anderson with 13 kills and Sophia Rohling with 12 kills and a .478 hitting percentage.
 
South Dakota, meanwhile, only hit .153 for the match with 33 kills and 16 attack errors.
 
Sami Slaughter had 10 kills while Elizabeth Juhnke and Maddie Wiedenfeld added nine apiece for the Coyotes (0-1). Wiedenfeld had zero attack errors, the sixth time in a Coyote uniform she has done that while her .562 hitting percentage was her second best for South Dakota.
 
Madison Jurgens contributed 27 assists and 11 digs while Aimee Adams and Juhnke led the defense with 12 digs apiece.
 
A 10-1 run early in the first set allowed Wichita State to take control as the first two sets saw only one tie and one lead change. The Coyotes controlled much of the third set before the Shockers score the final three points to secure the match victory.
 
South Dakota will close play in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational with Saturday's 3 p.m. match against host Missouri State.