FIRST SERVE
The South Dakota Coyotes will face Denver in a pair of Summit League volleyball matches in a battle of two of the three teams tied atop the league standings. Friday's match begins at 7 p.m. (CST) and Saturday's match has a 5 p.m. (CST) first serve.

THE COYOTES
South Dakota (10-4, 9-1 in Summit) enters the contests riding a six-match win streak, including last weekend's home victories over Oral Roberts. Elizabeth Juhnke ranks second in the Summit League in kills per set (4.18). Madison Harms leads the Summit League and ranks 14th nationally in blocks per set at 1.45. Junior setter Madison Jurgens averages 10.11 per set. Lolo Weideman, the junior libero, averages 4.52 digs per set.

DENVER
The Pioneers (9-1, 9-1 in Summit) have posted seven of their nine victories by sweep. Six different individuals average over two kills per set led by returning Summit League player of the year Lydia Bartalo (2.74). Denver's 6-2 offense is directed by Ellie Anderson (6.47 a/set) and Lorrin Poulter (4.21 a/set). Libero Macy Carrabine averages 4.06 digs/set. 

THE SERIES
Denver leads the series 12-6 between the two teams in the Division I era. The Coyotes, though, have won three straight including two in a row in Denver.