BROOKINGS, S.D. – Western Illinois volleyball fell to South Dakota State in five sets on Saturday evening (Nov. 9) inside Frost Arena. The Leathernecks fall to 11-16 overall this season and 5-7 in league play, while SDSU improves to 5-20 overall and 3-9 in conference play.

The Jackrabbits took the early match lead with a 25-22 victory in the opening set. Heather Smith and Mallory Gibson each recorded four kills in the set, while Sarah Fetter assisted on 10 kills.

Western came back to take the second set, 25-22, and even the match at 1-1. The set was back-and-forth until the Leathernecks pulled away in the end after kills from Ann Miller and Smith.

The Leathernecks carried momentum into set three, winning 25-18 to take the match lead, 2-1. Miller recorded four kills in the set for the Leathernecks.

The fourth set went to the Jacks, 25-23, to send the match to a fifth and final set. SDSU used a five-point run midway through to take a lead they would not relinquish.

The deciding fifth set went to the Jacks, 15-12, to give SDSU the match victory, 3-2. The set was tight until the end when SDSU used a three-point run to pull away and take the match.

Four separate Leathernecks recorded 10 or more kills in the match, led by Miller who finished with 16. Smith (13), Jordan Jackson (12) and Gibson (10) also finished with double-digit kills.

Molly Murphy notched 27 digs to lead the Leathernecks, while Miller (14), Smith (13) and Fetter (13) also recorded 13 or more digs. Fetter also finished the match with 48 assists.

Melanie Miller led the Leathernecks in blocks with four, while Ann Miller and Jackson each posted three.

"It was a tough weekend for us in one of the hardest road trips of the year," head coach April Hall said. "We did not perform to the best of our abilities against two very resilient teams. We need to reflect on this weekend and learn who we are going to be for the rest of the season. We will find a way to consistently perform at the best of our abilities through the rest of the grind."

The Leathernecks will be back in action next weekend for their final two matches of the regular season. Western plays host to Denver on Friday (Nov. 15) at 7 p.m. and South Dakota on Sunday (Nov. 17) at 2 p.m. Both matches will take place inside Western Hall.