JACKS SWEEP MONTANA IN HOME OPENER

Friday, September 3

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

3-1,0-0Summit League

Montana

2-4,0-0Big Sky

Montana

South Dakota St.

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

9/3/2021 9:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

South Dakota State (3-1) overcame a slow start in both the second and third sets to defeat Montana (2-4) in the Jackrabbits' home-opener. A strong contingent of Jackrabbit faithful propelled SDSU to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-20) win over the Grizzlies Friday night in Frost Arena.

"I'm really proud of our team tonight," head coach Dan Georgalas said. "I thought we had some great performances off the bench in times of adversity which provided a great spark. It felt great to be back in Frost Arena, the crowd and students were great. Our goal is to come back and finish strong tomorrow against CBU."

Crystal Burk paced the Jacks with 14 kills and 11 digs, her second double-double of the season. Chloe Stitt finished with 10 kills while Anna Ventling-Brown added nine. In total, seven Jacks registered at least two kills.

Carly Wedel assisted on 37 Jackrabbit points while libero Tatum Pickar led the defensive efforts with 12 digs.

Set 1
The Jackrabbits started fast, racing out to an 8-1 lead to force the Grizzlies' first timeout of the match. A pair of Jackrabbit attack errors trimmed the SDSU advantage back to three at 14-11, but the Jacks eventually distanced themselves once more after an Ella Thompson kill made it 18-12. The Jackrabbits did not relent en route to a 25-16 opening-set win. Stitt paced SDSU in the opening frame with five kills on .333 hitting.

Set 2
SDSU fell into an early hole in the second set and was forced to burn a timeout after falling behind 7-1. The Jackrabbits clawed back and cut the deficit to two after Stitt's seventh kill of the match made it 9-7. Montana pushed its lead back to 13-9, however, prompting SDSU's final timeout of the set. SDSU battled back and took the lead at 22-21 on a Grizzlies attack error and would close on a 3-1 run to clinch the second set, 25-22.

Set 3
Another fast start by the Grizzlies prompted an SDSU timeout at 6-1, but a kill from Ella Thompson cut the deficit back to two at 7-5. A kill from Akeela Jefferson gave the Jacks their first lead of the set at 8-7. Both sides hung tough until the Jacks gained a three-point advantage at 16-13 to force a Montana timeout. SDSU put its foot on the gas and extended its lead to 23-16 on a Montana attack error. The Grizzlies would fend off four SDSU match points, but a kill from Burk sealed the sweep for the Jacks.
Notes

SDSU has won its home-opener for the second consecutive season.
The Jacks improve to 3-1 for the first time since 2014.
SDSU has won via straight sets in all three of its wins this season.
This marked the first match between SDSU and Montana in 14 years. The Jacks now own a 3-1 series lead.
Crystal Burk paced the Jacks with 14 kills and 11 digs to record her second double-double of the season.
Chloe Stitt recorded double-digit kills for the second time this season.
Tatum Pickar has recorded at least 12 kills in three of four matches this season.