Smith Leads Volleyball Team

Friday, September 2

Fargo, N.D.

4:30 p.m.

South Dakota State University

1-5

Northern Illinois

4-1

South Dakota State

Northern Illinois

Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen

9/2/2016 6:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

FARGO, N.D.—The South Dakota State volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Northern Illinois Friday evening—25-17, 26-24 and 25-16—in the NDSU Classic at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

"Another strong outing that I can't complain about," second-year head coach Nicole Cirillo said. "We fought hard and really played some fantastic defense, but at the end of the day, we just didn't have the offense to combat theirs."

Freshman Ashlynn Smith led the Jackrabbits with a career-high eight kills while hitting .400 for the match. Senior Ashley Beaner recorded seven kills. Junior Ellie Benson had 11 digs and sophomore Mattison Munger a season-high 10 digs.

Jenna Radtke led Northern Illinois with a match-high 16 kills. Anna Brereton added 13 digs.

South Dakota State trailed 20-12 in the third set after the Huskies used a 15-8 run. The Jacks cut the lead to six, 22-16, on a Munger service ace, but NIU finished the match with three-straight kills.

Hanging around in the second set almost paid off for the Jackrabbits. They trailed 22-18 when they tied the match on a block by sophomore Sierra Peterson and Beaner. Smith's sixth kill of the set tied the set at 23-23. A Northern Illinois kill tied the set at 24-24 before the Jackrabbits had back-to-back errors.

In the first set, neither team took more than a two point lead until Northern Illinois used an 8-3 run to take a 15-10 lead. The Jacks fought back, but trailed 17-15. The Huskies then outscored State 8-2 for the win.

The Jackrabbits return to action Saturday when they play UTEP at 4 p.m.

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-