Coyote volleyball opens Summit League play with two wins

After their winning streak came to an end at the hands of the University of Iowa, USD opened Summit League play with two wins this weekend.

At the Iowa Invitational in Iowa City two weekends ago, the Coyotes defeated Lamar University twice in two days in straight sets before going up against the Hawkeyes. The Coyotes were unable to win a single set in the match, falling 19-25, 15-25 and 21-25. This was just the second loss of the season for USD and the first match where the Coyotes failed to win a single set.

Senior middle blocker Lindsey Brown was named the Summit League Defensive Player of the Week following the Iowa Invitational. Brown notched 13 kills, 13 blocks, five digs and one assist in the three games.

USD then opened Summit League play in Macomb, Illinois, Friday against Western Illinois. Coming off of the loss to Iowa, the Coyotes had no trouble with the Leathernecks, defeating them in straight sets with scores of 29-27, 25-13 and 25-16.

Sophomore Rachel Schmidt led the Coyotes in kills with 14. Senior Audrey Reeg had a strong match with 10 kills and 19 digs. Junior Brittany Jessen added 38 assists. She is currently first in assists per set in the Summit League, second in total assists.

The Coyotes then welcomed Oral Roberts into the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Sunday. The Golden Eagles were unable to take a set away from USD, falling in three straight 25-23, 25-16 and 25-16. This time out Reeg led the Coyotes in kills with 14, Schmidt added another 13. Sophomore Lauren Mattison led USD in digs with 14. Jessen once again led both teams in assists with 35, more than the 26 that Golden Eagle junior and Summit League assists leader Lucija Bojanjac put up.

The recent results put the Coyotes at 13-2 on the season and 2-0 in Summit League play. These results are a stark contrast to the 0-2 start USD got off to last season.

The Coyotes’ next match is against North Dakota State University in the SCSC on Friday at 7 p.m.