IUPUI Hands Coyotes Four Set Loss

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Despite Kendall Kritenbrink's (Gretna, Neb.) 27 kills, IUPUI dropped the South Dakota volleyball team in four sets (25-20, 34-32, 19-25, 25-22) for the Coyotes' first conference loss of the season on Saturday night.

The Coyotes (7-6, 1-1 in Summit League) held a 72-61 kill advantage and held an 85-76 edge in point production, but were sunk by 29 attack errors.  The Coyotes have lost three-straight against IUPUI (8-5, 2-0).

"IUPUI outplayed us," head coach Matt Houk said. "A lot were close sets, but they had a little more than we did when they needed it.  I am happy though we played aggressively.  We outhit them and defensively had good numbers."

South Dakota again had a nice night defensively from Kim Bulaga (Crystal Lake, Ill.), who recorded 22 digs.  She had 37 digs in eights sets for the Coyotes opening conference road trip.

Katie Bunkers (Columbus, Neb.) had 14 digs, while Kritenbrink recorded 12 for her third double-double of the year.  Tori Kroll (Germantown, Wis.) and Riley Haug (Gretna, Neb.) both notched 10 digs in the match.

On the offensive side, Kroll recorded a season high 57 assists.  Lindsey Sathre (Maple Grove, Minn.) had 13 kills, and Amber Aschoff (Ankeny, Iowa) added 12 kills."

The match ended a long road trip for the Coyotes, who have been on the road the last four weekends.

"We're excited to not be on the road next week," said Houk.  "It'll be nice to be home, sleep in our own beds, and play some home games next week.

The Coyotes will host Fort Wayne on Friday at 7 p.m. for their first home match of the season.  They will also host Oakland on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota