USD closes out NKU Invitational with win vs. Missouri

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (USD) — After dropping the first set to SEC opponent RV Missouri, the South Dakota volleyball regrouped, responded and won three straight sets to close out the NKU Invitational with a 3-1 win over the Tigers.

After setting a career-high yesterday, Lauren Medeck bested that number today by putting away a match high 17 kills. Medeck recorded her first double-double of her collegiate career with 12 digs, and added three service aces. Kylen Sealock continued her consistent play with 14 kills on 26 attacks for a .423 attack rate.

Avery Van Hook notched a double-double with 46 assists and 12 digs, and Kamryn Farris dug up 18 balls, a match high.

“I am really proud of this team for responding from our last match,” said head coach Leanne Williamson . “We got better as the match went on and followed the scouting report really well. Our defense was very good today and we transitioned out of it really well. I loved our demeanor, and we stayed true to who we are as a team!  This is a great win for this program, and I am excited to see how we continue to build off of this success!”

Missouri jumped out to a 9-4 lead in set one, but the Coyotes would stay close and cut the deficit to three, 16-13, following a Sealock kill. The Tigers would flex their muscles and closed the frame with a 7-1 run and a 25-15 set win. Missouri hit .357 in the opening set, but the Coyotes would adjust to the Tigers attack and hold them below .230 in the following three sets.

The South Dakota attack found the mark in the second set, recording a .279 attack rate and were led by Medeck’s five kills. Sealock put away four kills with a .444 hit rate, while Morgan Bode added three kills on five attacks and two blocks. After a back-and-forth start to set two, it was the Yotes would grab the momentum at the midway point. The Coyotes scored five unanswered, started by a Medeck kill, as they took an 18-13 edge. The Tigers, however, battled back to knot the set at 22-all. Amanda Loschen tallied a kill, and after a Tiger error, South Dakota earned the set win with a block by Van Hook and Bode.

USD carried its momentum into the next set, racing out to an 11-6 advantage. The Coyotes scored four of their points off the serve, as Missouri committed two errors, while USD tallied a pair of aces courtesy of Bode and Medeck. The Yotes controlled the set, keeping their lead at four or more points for the back half of the set. Sealock and Hlady combined for nine kills in the set on 14 attacks. Set three ended in the same fashion as the second frame, as Van Hook and Bode teamed up for a block to secure the set point.

The Coyotes secured the first point of the fourth frame, and after Missouri briefly tied the set, USD would carry the lead throughout to a match win. South Dakota began to pull away in the middle of the set once again, using a 5-1 run to take a 15-9 advantage. Five Coyotes had a hand in the final five points to secure the 3-1 match win, with kills from Nelson and Medeck, a block from Bode and Hlady and a service ace from Farris.

South Dakota will play in front of its home fans for the first time next weekend when they host the South Dakota Classic. The Coyotes first match of the weekend is against Montana State on Friday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m.

NOTES

• South Dakota has now won the last two meetings against Missouri and is now 2-4 all-time against the Tigers
• The win marks the 10 ^th victory against Power 5 opponents under head coach Leanne Williamson and the first since Sept. 9, 2022, when the Coyotes won 3-1 over West Virginia
• Lauren Medeck led the Coyotes for the second straight match with 17 kills, a new personal best.
• Kylen Sealock tallied her fourth match of the season with double-digit kills (14).
• Medeck secured her first double-double with 17 kills and 12 digs.
• Avery Van Hook dished out 40 or more assists for the second time this season and 12 ^th time in her career.
• Two Coyotes recorded three service aces In Kamryn Farris and Medeck.

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