VERMILLION, S.D. – Senior
Ann Miller moved into fifth place on the all-time kills list Friday night as the Leathernecks dropped a 3-0 decision to South Dakota. Western Illinois falls to 3-15 (1-4) while the Coyotes improve to a Summit League-leading 6-0 record in conference play, and 12-6 overall.
"Tonight was an inability on our end to be terminal," said head coach
April Hall. "There were times when we were able to take control within a set but then lost it at the end. It's disappointing to know your team has all of the tools to be something great. With that being said, however, we do have all of the tools to have a Cinderella season and we will turn it around on Sunday."
The Leathernecks opened the night with a hard-fought first set, ultimately falling by a 25-23 score. With South Dakota leading 19-15, the Purple and Gold stormed back with a 4-0 run. Kills from
Peyton Crosser and
Mallory Gibson, paired with a
Sarah Sikula ace highlighted the run. The Coyotes answered with three straight points before Western countered with three of its to knot the match at 22-all. South Dakota would claim three of the final four points for the first set victory.
South Dakota would take a 2-0 lead headed into the intermission, using a late run to pull away in the second set. Western held a 16-15 lead thanks to a
Melanie Miller block before the Coyotes would go on a 7-0 run. Like the first set, Western Illinois would fight back, scoring five unanswered points to pull within one. The run would fall short and the Coyotes would head to the locker room in control. USD would use a 10-1 run early in the third set to secure a 25-16 victory, sealing the match.
Ann Miller paced the Leathernecks Friday night with 11 kills. Miller now has 1,160 kills in her career, ranking fifth all-time. She passed Amy Sauerwein (1,152) and Kari Ritenour (1,153) on the all-time kills list during the match.
Samantha Fournier dished out a team-high 28 assists while
Molly Murphy and
Kayla Ruff each picked up 12 digs.
The Leathernecks return home as they welcome South Dakota State into Western Hall on Sunday afternoon. First serve is slated for 2 p.m.
