South Dakota volleyball overcame a 2-1 set deficit to overtake South Dakota State in the fifth and snap a six-game losing streak (25-19, 19-25, 15-25, 25-19, 18-16). The win extends the Coyotes (8-11, 2-5) win streak over the Jackrabbits (12-7, 4-4) to four, and gives USD a much needed boost as they come close to the midway point of the conference season.
Kendall Kritenbrink (Gretna, Neb.) and Riley Haug (Gretna, Neb.) both recorded season-highs to lead several impressive Coyote performances. Kritenbrinks 29 kills set the tone for the offense, while Haug anchored the defensive side with 25 digs.
Several others also stepped up in the match. Kim Bulaga (Crystal Lake, Ill.) finished with 15 kills and 18 digs, which was second most in both categories. Bailey Lupardus (Camdenton, Mo.), who replaced Tori Kroll (Germantown, Wis.) as setter for the match, recorded 54 assists and 15 digs.
Kroll and Natalie Walseth (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) both had 10 kills, but Kroll had 16 digs and Walseth had eight digs.
South Dakota had 35 more attacks in the match (218-183) and held SDSUs defense in check early. The Coyotes, who struggled offensively on Friday against NDSU with 25 errors in three sets, jumped on the Jackrabbits quickly with 16 kills and no errors in the first set.
SDSU won the second and third sets by committing only four errors in those two sets combined, but the Coyote offense was just strong enough to win the final two sets. USD finished 28-19 edge in kills in those sets.
SDSU also had a consistent attack from its frontline. Kaitlin Klingemann had 17 kills, Bailey Philippot had 15 kills, and Kelli Fiegan had 14 kills. Fiegan, who leads the conference in blocks, also had a pair of solo blocks and three block assists. Amanda Stout was kept busy defending with 27 digs.
The Coyotes will have a pair of home games for next weekend. They host IUPUI in The Den on Friday at 4 p.m., and then host Western Illinois on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Courtesy: USD Athletics
