VERMILLION, S.D. — Following a 3-0 weekend at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, the South Dakota volleyball team will travel to Coralville, Iowa to close out the nonconference schedule at the Kwik Star Klassic.
 
ABOUT THE YOTES

• South Dakota heads to Coralville, Iowa for the Kwik Star Klassic, hosted by the University of Iowa for matches against the Hawkeyes, Drake and Saint Louis.
• The Coyotes will enter Thursday's match on a four-game win streak following a 3-0 showing at the South Dakota Classic.
• USD improved it's record in the South Dakota Classic to 17-1 after downing Montana State, Iowa State and UTEP.
• Drake is the only team to beat the Coyotes in the USD Classic, as the Bulldogs took a 3-2 win over USD last season.
• Lauren Medeck picked up her first career Summit League Peak Performer of the Week honor, as announced by the conference.
• Across three matches, Medeck put away 49 kills for a 3.77 kills per set average, a .266 attack rate, 34 digs and nine blocks (3 solo).
• Medeck tallied two double-doubles on the weekend with 20 kills and 18 digs against Montana State and 13 kills, 10 digs vs UTEP.
• Her performance against the Bobcats set new season highs in both kills and digs.
• Avery Van Hook currently ranks 24th in the NCAA and first among Summit League setters in assists per set (10.45).
• Kylen Sealock's 3.33 kills per set is the fifth highest among conference hitters, while Lauren Medeck's 2.70 is seventh.
• The Coyotes have earned either a Summit League Regular Season Title or Tournament Championship in each of the last six seasons.
• Leanne Williamson is in her 11th season as the head coach of the Coyotes and holds the record for most win by a USD head coach with a 216-93 record (.699).

Where To Watch

• The South Dakota - Iowa match will be streamed on the B1G+ Network.
• Unfortunately, the matches against Drake and Saint Louis will not have a live stream. Follow along with the live stats or follow @sdcoyotesvb on X (formerly twitter) for in-game updates.

Medeck Named Peak Performer

• Freshman Lauren Medeck impressed in her first action at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center this past weekend, earning herself the Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week honors.
• Medeck helped the Coyotes to a 3-0 weekend at the South Dakota Classic with wins over Montana State, Iowa State and UTEP.
• Medeck put away 49 kills across the three matches, with a 3.77 kills per set average, at a .266 swing rate.
• She also tallied 34 digs, one ace and nine total blocks (three solo).
• Medeck had 20 kills in the USD win over Montana State and recorded her first of two double-doubles on the weekend.
• Medeck also recorded a double-double in the Coyotes win with 13 kills and 10 digs in the win over UTEP on Sunday.
• Medeck paced the team with 16 kills, on a .310 hitting percentage, as USD won its second match over a Power 4 opponent in six days.
• The Coyotes won 3-1 over RV Missouri at the NKU Invitational on 9/8/24).
• Entering the Kwik Star Klassic, Medeck has led USD in kills and has recorded double-digit kills in each of the last five matches.

First Time at the SCSC

• A slew of Coyotes made their first appearances in the SCSC this past weekend in Audrey Nelson, Lauren Medeck, Morgan Bode, Cheyenne Hlady and Barrett Power.
• USD Classic Totals
  • Audrey Nelson • Fr. • MB
    • 24 kills / .290 / seven blocks
  • Lauren Medeck • Fr. • OH
    • 49 kills / .266 / 34 digs / nine blocks
  • Morgan Bode • Fr. • MB
    • 21 kills / .133 / 14 blocks / three aces
  • Cheyenne Hlady • Gr. • OH
    • 29 kills / .371 / 11 digs / three blocks
  • Barrett Power • Gr. • S
    • seven digs / one ace 

Instant Impact

• It wasn't until the fourth set in the match against Iowa State Saturday that Amanda Loschen took the floor, but after starting in the Coyotes rotation, she made an immediate impact.
• On back-to-back plays, Loschen recorded a solo block and a kill to give the Coyotes an early 5-1 lead over the Cyclones, forcing an ISU timeout.
• Loschen ended the set with two kills, two digs and two blocks as the Yotes closed out the match win with a 25-20 set four score. 

Winning Against Power 4s

• South Dakota will look for its third win over a Power 4 opponent Thursday when they face Kiwk Star Klassic host Iowa.
• Over the weekend, USD downed Iowa State (BIG 12) 3-1 in front of 2,130 fans at the SCSC.
• At the NKU Invitational, the Coyotes won 3-1 over RV Missouri (SEC).
• The Yotes lost the first set against the Tigers, but responded by winning three straight sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-16).

Recapping the South Dakota Classic

• After sweeping the weekend slate of the South Dakota Classic, the Coyotes are now 17-1 all-time in their home tournament.
• Coincidentally, the Yotes only loss in their home tournament was a 3-1 defeat to Drake last season.
• The Coyotes and Bulldogs will meet this Friday at the Kwik Star Classic at 3:00 p.m.
• USD wins 3-2 over Montana State
  • The five-set win over the Bobcats was the first USD match of the season that went five sets.
  • Cheyenne Hlady set a career-high in the win with 13 kills on 30 swings
• USD wins 3-1 over Iowa State
  • It was the first win over the Cyclones in program history.
  • Marked the second win over a Power 4 opponent in six days.
  • Audrey Nelson reached double-digit kills for the first time as a Coyote (10).
• USD wins 3-1 over UTEP
  • USD won their fourth straight match of the season with the win over the Miners.
  • Lauren Medeck recorded her fifth straight match with double-digit kills.
  • USD recorded a attack rate of above .300 for the second time this season (.392 in a 3-0 win over Fordham 8/31/24)
• Medeck was named the USD Classic's MVP, while Hlady and Avery Van Hook joined her on the all-tournament team. 

On Deck

• Freshman Lauren Medeck put away a team best and career high 17 kills in the Coyotes 3-1 win over RV Missouri on Sept. 8
• Medeck also recorded her first double-double against the Tigers with 12 digs.
• Medeck led the Coyotes in kills for the first time in her career the game prior, a 3-0 loss to Northern Kentucky with 11 kills. It also marked first match with double-digit kills.
• In the match against NKU, Medeck caught fire in the second set, putting down 10 kills in the frame. 

Freshmen Impact

• Through the team's first five games, the Coyote freshmen have made their presence felt. USD started three freshmen in its last match in Morgan Bode, Lauren Medeck and Audrey Nelson.
• Bode, Medeck and Nelson rank two, three and four for the Coyotes in kills.
• Bode is second on the team with seven aces, while Medeck is third with five.
• Bode is the team leader with 24.0 blocks (4 solo), while Nelson is second with 20.0 (5 solo) and Medeck is fourth with 11.0 (3 solo).

Dropping Dimes

• Avery Van Hook has dished out 303 assists through the first eight matches.
• Van Hook enters the Kwik Star Klassic ranking No. 24 in the NCAA and No. 1 in the Summit Leauge with 10.45 assists per set.
• The sophomore setter tallied her 1,000 career assist in the Coyotes match against #4 Louisville.