Volleyball Falls in Three to Oral Roberts

Friday, September 29

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

2-14, 0-3

Oral Roberts

6-9, 3-0

Oral Roberts

South Dakota State

Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen

9/29/2017 9:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Sophomore Ashlynn Smith led the South Dakota State volleyball team on offense, but the Jackrabbits lost in three sets to Oral Roberts in a Summit League match Friday night in front of 310 fans in Frost Arena.

The Jackrabbits (2-14, 0-3) lost 25-17, 25-22 and 25-15 to the Golden Eagles (6-9, 3-0).

Smith collected 10 kills and senior Ellie Benson had a match-high 12 digs. Oral Roberts was led by Laura Milos with 19 kills.

Turning Points
In the first set, the Jackrabbits trailed 14-7 before putting together a 9-4 run to pull within 18-16. Smith logged three kills in the run. Oral Roberts responded with a 7-1 run for the win.

After an 14-14 tie in the second set, South Dakota State took a 20-17 lead with a Smith kill, a block by junior Payton Richardson and freshman Erin Cutts and then a kill from Cutts to fuel the run. The Golden Eagles came back to tie the match at 21-21 and then scored four of the final five points for the win.

Back-to-back kills by Smith and sophomore Makenzie Hennen put the Jacks within five, 16-11, of Oral Roberts midway through the third set. The Golden Eagles closed the set and match with a 9-4 run.

They said it…
"I thought we competed at a high level throughout the entire match. We still had our moments out there, but overall I think we made some very big steps forward in limiting the runs…smaller runs," third-year head coach Nicole Cirillo said. "We were within striking distances for most of the sets. Some plays and a lack of an ability to win is just what we don't have right now. I thought we got closer. We missed big a opportunity in set two. Big opportunity, but hopefully we learn and give it another go around on Sunday."

Notables

Mattison Munger recorded 14 set assists and now has 1,926 career assists. She ranks 10^th on the SDSU career list.
Freshman Maddie Fay had a career-best two service aces.

Up Next
South Dakota State returns to the court Sunday at 2 p.m. when it plays Denver in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.

For more information on the South Dakota State volleyball team, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksVB) or like South Dakota State volleyball on Facebook.

-GoJacks.com-