Coyotes fall to Augustana in volleyball

The South Dakota volleyball team started out strong but was unable to maintain the momentum from the first game throughout the remainder of the match as the Coyotes fell to Augustana 3-1 (24-30, 30-20, 30-18, 30-26) in the North Central Conference opener for both schools.

USD fell to 4-9 overall and 0-1 in the NCC with the loss while the Vikings improved to 6-7 on the year and 1-0 in league play.

Junior setter Ashley Gross tied a career-high with 20 kills on the evening while hitting on a .306 clip. Sophomore middle blocker Heather Hult added 12 kills.

Senior setter Casey Beardsley and freshman setter Gina Baldwin tied for the USD high with 28 assists apiece, with Baldwin's total representing a season-high. Sophomore libero Amber Kobus led all players with 23 digs, while freshman outside hitter Jamie Vander Kooi added a season-high 19 and sophomore outside hitter Gabi Jarchow contributing 18.

USD started things off on the right foot by holding a lead throughout much of the first game and cruising to the 30-24 victory. However, the Vikings responded in kind by doing essentially the same thing in their Game 2 win. Following the intermission, Augustana came out with a furious 9-1 start to the third game en route to the 30-18 win. The Vikings closed out the match by holding off a late South Dakota rally to take the game 30-26.