VERMILLION, S.D. – League-leading South Dakota fought off North Dakota State 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 28-26) in a Summit League volleyball match played before 1,758 spectators at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Friday, Nov. 8.
 
The Bison (11-14, 6-7 SL) play at Denver (17-7, 9-3) on Sunday. The Pioneers hosted North Dakota on Friday night.
 
South Dakota improved to 14-0 in the league standings and 25-1 overall, but it didn't come easy as North Dakota State led late in the first and third sets before the Coyotes would rally to stop the threat.
 
NDSU kept it close with alert plays at the net on the outside from freshman Syra Tanchin, who had a team-high 15 kills and hit .333, and in the middle from junior Emily Halverson, who followed with 11 kills and hit .318. Bella Lien had five kills, three blocks and a pair of service aces, while Kalli Hegerle and Kelley Johnson combined for 33 assists. Kaylee Hanger came up with 13 digs.
 
South Dakota received key points at key spots from Sami Slaughter, who connected for a match-high 21 kills and hit .600, along with Elizabeth Juhnke, who collected 16 kills, 13 digs and three blocks. USD outhit NDSU .295 to .188.
 
The Coyotes finished with nine team blocks led by the match-high seven blocks from Madison Harms. Madison Jurgens passed out 46 assists.