USD takes on Oakland Friday at DakotaDome

Friday’s rematch against Oakland will not only be one of the last home games of the season for the Coyote volleyball team, it is also parent’s night.

“So we will be using the energy of all the parents and all the fans to help us get a win at home,” senior middle blocker Tahnee Reed said.

Coming off a loss against the University of North Dakota Nov. 1, the University of South Dakota volleyball team are looking to avenge its loss against Oakland earlier in the season, junior middle blocker Lindsey Sathre said.

“They got away from us last time and I don’t think they are going to this time because we are going to be better prepared for them,” Sathre said.

Head coach Matt Houk said that it is going to take some winning of long rallies to earn a victory Friday and because the Coyotes have faced Oakland already, they know what to expect.

“Oakland is a very good team. They’re scrappy, but they are one of the better defensive teams in the conference,” Houk said.

Houk said the Coyotes are very reliant on each other when playing, so it is important that each teammate steps up and they can’t just key in on one player, everyone needs to continue on the offensive pace they set.

“That’s what I think makes championships happen and I think the best teams in our conference always have multiple players doing well,” Houk said.