Fetter assisted on 55 kills and notched 15 digs for Western, while Smith also finished with a double-double as she recorded 10 kills and 14 digs.

“For us it was all about game plan and I think we did a really nice job of doing the game plan and playing for the seniors,” said head coach April Hall. “It was their last match at Western Hall and it was really emotional for them and I think our team rallied around that and played the best they possibly could for them.” 

South Dakota never trailed in the opening set, winning 25-19 to take the 1-0 match lead. Jordan Jackson recorded four kills in the opening set to lead the Leathernecks, while Fetter assisted on 12 kills.

The back-and-forth second set saw 13 tied scores and four lead changes as the Leathernecks recorded the win, 25-22, to even the match at 1-1. Western capitalized on back-to-back attack errors and used a Mallory Gibson kill to pull away with the set tied at 19-19.

Western took the third set, 25-17, to go ahead 2-1 in the match. Down 16-13 in the set, the Leathernecks came storming back to finish on a 9-1 run. Ann Miller posted seven kills in the set for the Purple & Gold, while Fetter assisted on 15 more kills.

USD fought back in set four, winning 25-15 to send the match to a deciding fifth set. The Coyotes never trailed in the set and were led by Kendall Kritenbrink who recorded seven kills.

The Leathernecks never trailed in the fifth set on their way to a 15-10 victory. With the set tied at 6-6, Western went on a five-point run to take a lead they would not relinquish.

“We talked about being gritty and I think our offense came out with a fire under themselves from Friday,” added Hall. “I think tonight Ann and Heather stood out. Just all around, everyone did a great job. Sarah did a great job of making sure everyone was involved as well.”

Miller posted 25 kills to lead the Leathernecks with a .420 hitting percentage. Gibson finished with 12 kills, while Jackson added 11.

Defensively, Molly Murphy posted a team-high 20 digs to lead Western. Melanie Miller and Gibson each notched five blocks, while Jackson added four.

Kritenbrink, the league leader in kills, finished the match with 24 for USD.

The victory gives the Leathernecks a 12-17 overall mark and 6-8 record in league play. USD falls to 18-12 overall and 9-5 in The Summit League.

Western will now turn its attention to The Summit League Tournament, which begins on Friday (Nov. 22) in Indianapolis. The Leathernecks will battle either Fort Wayne or South Dakota in opening round action.

“It's going to be a battle. We don't know whom we play yet, but we're ready,” said Hall. “The girls want it and I think they proved that today and I think we'll take that into the weekend.”