Volleyball gearing up for 2013 season

Aug. 30 marks the start of a new season for the University of South Dakota Coyote volleyball team.

Last year’s team was the definition of playing .500, as they went 8-8 in the Summit League and 14-14 overall. It was the final stretch of the season that gained the attention of others. The Coyotes finished with a Summit League best, five match win streak, taking out Kansas City, South Dakota State, North Dakota State and Omaha twice, once at home, once away.

The Coyotes will be traveling to Missouri Aug. 30 and compete in a two-day tournament as part of their out-of-conference schedule. The Coyotes should get a good feel for the direction of their team after the two days. Over the 48 hours they’ll be taking on Idaho St., Missouri, Arkansas St. and Pittsburgh.

The bulk of the Coyotes leadership will be on the shoulders of the team’s three returning seniors: Natalie Walseth, Tori Kroll and Amber Aschoff.

The spotlight will be on junior Kendall Kritenbrink. Through two years Kritenbrink’s honors include Summit All-Freshman team, All-Summit second team, All-Summit first team and Summit League Offensive Player of the Week three times. Sophomore Sydney Dimke is also coming off a Summit League All-Freshman season.

The out of conference matches will continue all the way until Sept. 27 when USD will host IPFW.