University of South Dakota Athletics

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – South Dakota volleyball three match win streak came to an end at Moby Arena Thursday night falling in straight sets to Colorado State. 
 
The Rams' offense was clicking throughout the match, as they hit .302 while USD's offense struggled to find a rhythm and was held to a .073 hitting percentage. CSU held the edge in aces (8-2), blocks (3-2) and digs (43-36).
 
Colorado State hit a match high .417 in the first set behind five kills on an errorless seven swings from Eve Wilson and three kills on three attacks from Kekua Richards. Gabi Zachariasen and Lauren Medeck paced the Yotes with three kills each, while Zachariasen hit .400. USD stuck with the Rams early in set one with three lead changes and five tied scores. With the score tied at 10-10, Colorado State put together a lengthy 9-1 run to take control of the set and would win it 25-17.
 
While the Coyotes slowed down the Rams' attack a touch in the second, CSU would outhit the Yotes .257 to .000. The Rams put away 14 kills, while holding the Coyotes to seven to take set two by a score of 25-14. CSU had eight players register a kill in the second, while Medeck, Zachariasen and Morgan Bode combined for USD's seven.
 
Zachariasen led the Yotes with four kills in the third set, with Medeck right behind her with three kills on five swings. South Dakota had more kills (12-11) in the third, but CSU tallied four aces and a block. South Dakota made a run in the middle of the set with a 5-1 run featuring a pair of kills from Ella Rogers. Colorado State, however, would retain the lead and end the match scoring seven of the final nine points to win the match 3-0.
 
Medeck and Zachariasen led the Coyotes with nine kills apiece, while Bode had five. Rogers dished out a career high 26 assists and had five digs. Medeck recorded her third straight double-double with 11 digs. Sierra Pokharel tallied nine digs and two aces. 
 
South Dakota will look to bounce back tomorrow night against Wyoming at 7 p.m. MT in Laramie, Wyoming. 
 

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