Western Illinois Sweeps Coyotes

VERMILLION, SD -- Offensive woes continued to haunt the South Dakota volleyball team on Sunday as the Coyotes lost to Western Illinois 25-12, 25-19, 27-25.

The Coyotes (8-13, 2-7) had at least seven attack errors in every set during the match.  They also had only six kills in the first set.  By contrast, the Leathernecks (9-12, 3-7) averaged only four errors and held a 46-36 advantage in kills.

Sydney Dimke’s (Ham Lake, Minn.) eight kills led the Coyote offense, and Kendall Kritenbrink (Gretna, Neb.) and Kim Bulaga (Crystal Lake, Ill.) both added seven kills.  Defensively, Katie Bunkers (Columbus, Neb.) had nine digs.

South Dakota led four times in the entire match and never led by more than two (2-0, third set).

Western Illinois had a couple lengthy runs. They had a 14-1 run to start the first set, and broke open set two with an 11-4 run to make it 20-13.  Heather Smith and Anne Miller were the deciding factors in set three with seven and six kills, respectively.

Four Leathernecks reached at least 10 kills.  Katie Hosteng and Smith both recorded 12, and Samantha Fournier and Miller both had 10.  Miller also had 11 digs.

The Coyotes will be on the road next weekend against Oakland on Friday and Fort Wayne on Saturday.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota