BROOKINGS, S.D. – For the fourth time, South Dakota (18-9, 12-4 Summit) has clinched a share of the Summit League regular season title. The Coyotes reverse-swept South Dakota State in five sets inside Frost Arena to record their 18
th-straight win over the Jacks. Game scores went 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-4.
South Dakota hosts the six-team Summit League Tournament that runs Sunday through Tuesday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
Who Stood Out
Outside hitter
Kylen Sealock had another career day for the Yotes, tallying a career-high and match-high 21 kills. The junior added 18 digs to record her ninth double-double of the season. Outside hitter
Evelyn Diederich checked in at the start of set two and had multiple big moments for the Yotes throughout the rest of the match. She ended the night with 12 kills and three blocks, including the kill that gave USD set point in set three.
South Dakota State (9-19, 7-9 Summit) had two hitters record double-digit kills, including a team-high 18 kills on a .571 hitting clip from right side Sydni Schetnan. She also added five blocks with two solo blocks. Outside hitter Sylvie Zgonc followed with 17 kills, 12 digs, and three blocks.
Turning Point
The Jackrabbits took control of the match early in similar fashion to the first matchup earlier this season. The Yotes had their backs against the wall going into set three but were not to be counted out. SDSU went up 16-12 midway through the set to force a USD timeout. The Yotes regrouped and Diederich put down back-to-back kills to tie the game at 20 and then give USD its first lead of the third set at 21-20. Another huge play from Diederich in a big block gave the Yotes a two point advantage at 22-20. Schetnan put down a couple of kills for the Jacks to knot things back up at 23 but Diederich put down the kill that gave USD set point and set up the kill for Sealock that would send the match into extra sets. Diederich's energy proved to be the momentum shift that the Coyotes needed as they battled to take set four, sending the match to a fifth set on a 5-0 run led by
Alaina Wolff's serving. Wolff continued to serve to start the deciding set and served four-straight points for the Yotes to take an early lead. South Dakota took control and secured the reverse-sweep in a dominating 15-4 performance.
Quotable
"Before the match we talked about being tough," said head coach
Leanne Williamson. "We used several examples of how tough we've been this year. This team showed again tonight how tough we can be. What an incredible performance by so many on our roster. This was truly a team win. We are definitely going to be celebrating this tonight! We can't wait to see Coyote Nation out in full force this weekend at the SCSC! Go Yotes!"
Notable
- As a squad, the Yotes notched 74 kills which is the most this season for the team.
- USD has now defeated SDSU 18-straight times.
- Freshman setter Avery Van Hook dished out a career-high 58 assists to go with eight digs, five kills, and four blocks.
- Middle blocker Madison Harms had 16 kills on a .387 hitting clip and five blocks.
- Freshman right side Amanda Loschen notched a career-high 11 kills on a .429 hitting clip while adding three blocks.
Up Next
South Dakota hosts the Summit League Tournament that runs Sunday through Tuesday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.