Coyotes drop home opener

In their first home match of the 2011 season, the University of South Dakota women’s volleyball team’s five-game winning streak ended.

Summit League rival North Dakota State defeated USD in three straight sets Monday night, with a final score of 0-3.

The NDSU sweep marks the Coyotes’ first Summit League loss and drops their record to 6-7 overall; 2-1 in the Summit.

Each set opened with even back-and-forth scoring until the Bison were able to pull away in the first and third sets.

A hard kill by freshman Kendall Kritenbrink and a big Coyote block gave USD momentum toward the middle of the first set, but the Bison stole it away and went on a 9-2 scoring run, leading to the 25-13 victory.

Despite the first set loss, the Coyotes came out firing in the second. The set remained close the entire way with no team leading by more than three points at a time.

Two crucial kills by sophomore Amber Aschoff tied the set down the wire at 25-25, but the Bison were able to take the second set 27-25.

“We were right with them the whole game,” senior middle blocker Tahnee Reed said about the second set. “We only lost by two, our little mistakes just needed to be cleaned up.”

Once again, both teams began the set with back-and-forth play until NDSU went on a 9-1 run, stretching the lead and eventually stealing set three, 25-15.

The Coyotes’ offensive attack was led by Kritenbrink with 13 kills while Aschoff added another eight kills and three block assists.

Senior libero Carol Logato and freshman Riley Haug led the defense with 12 digs apiece. Sophomore setter Tori Kroll controlled the offense with 29 assists.

“I was super excited about the great turnout tonight and I hope it continues,” Reed said about the first home match.

The USD volleyball team’s next match is this Saturday at 5 p.m. in the DakotaDome against Missouri-Kansas City.

Reach reporter Jilanne Doom at Jilanne [email protected]