Tough Opening Match in Grand Forks

Friday, September 8

Grand Forks, N.D.

9 a.m.

South Dakota State University

1-6

Appalachian State

3-5

South Dakota State

Appalachian State

Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen

9/8/2017 11:49:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

GRAND FORKS, North Dakota—A total of seven points for the match were the difference between defeating Appalachian State and losing in four sets for the South Dakota State volleyball team Friday morning in the UND Classic at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

The Jackrabbits (1-6) lost 25-23, 28-26, 22-25 and 25-22 to the Mountaineers (3-5).

Four Jacks were in double digits in kills. Sophomore Makenzie Hennen led the team with 14 kills. Classmate Ashlynn Smith had a career-high 12 kills, junior Payton Richardson a personal-best 11 kills and junior Sierra Peterson with 10 kills.

On defense, Hennen recorded her second career double-double with 17 digs. Smith had her first career double-double with a personal-best 12 digs. Senior Ellie Benson had a match-high 18 digs and junior Mattison Munger added 11 digs.

Turning Points
In the first set, there were 10 ties with the last at 17-17 on a Hennen kill. The Mountaineers scored four the next five points to take a 21-18 lead. After a Jackrabbit timeout, State got a block from Peterson and Richardson for pull within 23-20. A Hennen kill cut the lead to 24-21, but Appalachian State had a service ace and a kill to pick up the win.

It came down to the wire in the second set as the team were tied at 25-25 after a Smith kill. Richardson recorded a solo block to put the Jacks up 26-25. Two Mountaineer kills and service ace put Appalachian State up 2-0 in the match.

South Dakota State jumped out to a 16-12 lead on a freshman Erin Cutts kill in the third set. The Mountaineers tied the match at 20-20, but State outscored Appalachian State 5-2 for the win.

Appalachian State had a 14-9 lead before the Jackrabbits mounted an 11-5 run, fueled by three kills by freshman Hanna Jellema, to take a 20-19 lead in the fourth set. The Mountaineers outscored the Jacks 6-2 to win the set and match.

They said it
"We rode a roller coaster all match," third-year head coach Nicole Cirillo said. "Going on runs and giving up runs of point is exhausting."

Notables

Mattison Munger moved into 10th on SDSU's career top 10 for assists. She has 1,721.
Freshman Kari Brucker saw her first collegiate action.

Up Next
South Dakota State returns to action at 4:30 p.m. when it plays George Washington.

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-