SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A 4 hour and 15-minute battle between South Dakota and Drake came down to the final singles match on Sunday morning inside Huether Family Match Pointe.
 
The Coyotes secured the 4-3 win thanks to a hard-fought three-set win at No. 4 singles from sophomore Anna Medvyedyeva, clinching the program's first-ever victory over Drake.
 
"What a win for the program," exclaimed coach Brett Barnett. "We've never beaten Drake before and they won the Valley with this exact team last year and beat us 7-0. 
 
"This win means a lot to us."
 
South Dakota won the doubles point, getting a 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles from Sorcha Caves and Bea Havlickova as Drake had forfeited at No. 3 doubles.
 
"Doubles was the difference," said Barnett. "Sorcha and Bea played great and got us the pivotal point." 
 
The Coyotes, now 3-3 on the season, secured singles wins at No. 3, 4 and 5 to earn the team victory.
 
Caves, a freshman, was the beneficiary of a retirement at No. 3 singles while Grace Chadick, a junior, won a straight sets battle with longtime rival Danika Stephan at No. 5 singles.
 
Medvyedyeva's match at No. 4 singles was the difference for the second straight match and she overcame the loss of some match points in set two to secure the win in set three.
 
"Grace is so dependable and plays where is needed and came up big again," said Barnett. "Anna put her heart on the line and came up huge. 
 
"She had match points in the second, didn't close it out and regrouped and got it done."
 
South Dakota's win over Drake was the first in 11 overall matchups between the foes.
 
"Really proud of the team for their fight and being able to win a tough match," added Barnett. "We have to keep improving and if we do that this team will take off."
 
South Dakota, after three consecutive two-match weekends, faces a single match next week when it travels to Minnesota for a noon contest on Saturday.