VERMILLION, S.D. — The University of South Dakota broke free in the first two sets and held off North Dakota State in the third to post a 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 26-24) in a Summit League volleyball match played Friday, Sept. 30, before 695 spectators at the Coyote Sports Center.
 
North Dakota State (2-1 Summit League, 4-12) is scheduled to play at Western Illinois (1-3 SL, 4-15) at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, in Macomb.
 
Audrey Reeg connected for a match-high 20 kills for league-leading South Dakota (3-0 SL, 14-12), while Rachel Schmidt. The Coyotes trailed 10-8 after kill from Emily Miron in set one, but gained the lead at 13-12 and went on a 9-2 run to pull away. USD jumped out to an early in set two to take a 2-0 advantage.
 
However, North Dakota State rebounded and led 16-14 in set three on an Erika Gelzinyte attack. South Dakota rebounded and tied the set at 16-all. The score would be tied nine straight points as Hadley Steffen, Jessica Jorgensen and Miron all contributed before the Coyotes ended the rally and match.
 
Steffen led the Bison with 12 kills, while Miron claimed 10 and hit .500. Brianna Rasmusson had 31 assists, while Mikaela Purnell came up with 12 digs.  
 
South Dakota outhit NDSU .405 to .230 and held a 6-1 edge in blocks.