University of South Dakota Athletics

VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota volleyball fell in straight sets in its Summit League opener to South Dakota State Friday night in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. 

Tonight's attendance of 2,664 was the third-largest crowd in program history. 

The Jackrabbits outhit the Yotes .281 to .163, led by Sylvie Zgonc's match-high 19 kills on a .283 hitting percentage. 

Gabi Zachariasen had a team-high nine kills, followed by Morgan Bode's eight and Amanda Loschen and Lauren Medeck who each had seven. Loschen hit .438 to pace USD and had three blocks. 

Medeck added two aces and 10 digs, while Sierra Pokharel also had double-digit digs with 10. 

South Dakota jumped out to an 11-5 lead early in the first set, forcing a Jackrabbit timeout, but it was the Jacks who swung the momentum with a 7-1 run to pull even with the Yotes at 12-12. After a back-and-forth battle for control of the set, the Jacks ended it with a 6-1 run to take set one 25-21. 

SDSU was the first to 15 in the second set, but not without a battle from the Yotes, as the score was tied 12 times and five lead changes. The Jacks again closed the set strong, with six straight points to take a 21-15 lead on their way to a 25-20 set win behind a .382 hitting percentage. 

South Dakota State forced an early Coyote timeout in the third set after taking an 8-3 lead. USD would cut the lead to three, 11-8, but was unable to sustain its momentum and would fall in the third 25-18 and 3-0 in the match. 

The Coyotes will look to bounce back on the road next week when they face St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, Thursday night and Omaha on Saturday. 

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