USD falls in straight sets to Northern Kentucky

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (USD) — The South Dakota volleyball team fell in straight sets to NKU Invitational host Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon in Regents Hall.

Lauren Medeck hit the double-digit kill mark for the first time in her young career with 11 and added five digs. Avery Van Hook handed out 20 assists, while Kamryn Farris was USD’s digs leader with 15. Caity Clancy and Alaina Wolff each recorded a pair of service aces.

Following a back-and-forth start in the first set, the Norse would score 10 unanswered points to grab a 21-8 lead and would take the frame 25-11. Northern Kentucky registered a .406 attack rate in the opening set, while the Coyotes were held to a .071 clip.

The first four South Dakota points of the second set would belong to Medeck, who would carry the hot hand throughout and register 11 kills in the frame. Amanda Loschen followed with three kills of her own in the set and assisted in one block. A Loschen kill would start a 5-1 USD run, and following consecutive kills from Medeck, the Coyotes grabbed their first lead of the match, 12-11. The Norse answered later in the set with a 6-1 run of their own, but a Kylen Sealock kill and Avery Van Hook ace would curb the NKU momentum. The Yotes reached set point following five straight points, beginning with another Loschen kill, but the Norse would respond with two points to pull the frame even at 24-24. Audrey Nelson put the Yotes a point away from capturing the set, 25-24, with a kill but NKU ended the set and went up 2-0 after scoring three straight.

Northern Kentucky built a 9-2 lead early in set three and would keep the Coyotes at bay as they downed USD 25-14 in the final set to earn the match win. The Norse were efficient in the final frame, notching 12 kills at a .385 clip.

The Coyotes will close out the NKU Invitational tomorrow morning against RV Missouri at 10:00 a.m. CT.

NOTES

• South Dakota is now 1-2 against the Norse and 0-1 at Regents Hall.
• Freshman Lauren Medeck recorded her first 10+ kill match and led the Yotes in kills for the first time in her career.
• Kamryn Farris tallied 15 digs for the third time this season.
• Caity Clancy matched her career highs with two services aces and seven digs. She also recorded two aces last season against Northern Kentucky.
• The Norse had the advantage in hitting percentage (.337 to .088) and blocks (11 to 4).

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