This one was all about
focus.
The University of Sioux Falls volleyball team had it,
lost it, and the end result was a
five-set loss to Jamestown College, 25-15, 25-11, 18-25, 23-25, 11-15, at the
Dakota Wesleyan Labor Day Classic on Friday night.
The loss drops USF to 1-1 while Jamestown improved to 5-2
overall. Earlier in the day, the Cougars defeated Mayville State in five sets.
“We came out in this match ready to compete and obviously
did a nice job in the first two sets, but our focus weaned and we lost control
of the match,” Cougars head coach McCartney said. “Jamestown played well and
did everything right to get themselves back in it and we clearly lost our
focus.”
As a team, the Cougars hit .233 for the match —better
than the Jimmies' clip of .214. — but committed 23 attack errors on the night.
USF also bested Jamestown in total blocks (7), set
assists (55) and digs (74).
The Cougars dominated the first two sets but couldn't
close things out after an error-plagued third frame (eight miscues on 35
swings) allowed the Jimmies to get back into the match with a 25-18 third set
win. Jamestown edged USF 25-23 in the fourth stanza and held on 15-11 in the
fifth set to secure the come from behind victory.
Samantha Lovell led the Cougars against the Jimmies with 15
kills. Chanda Goedken tallied her second straight double-double with 11 kills
and 12 digs. Emily Johnson had 13 kills and 13 digs for her first double-double
of the season and a team-best three blocks. Sarah Kohler had 11 kills. Alexa
Reed posted 50 set assists.
Junior libero Andrea Odbert, a transfer from Central
Community College (Neb.), dug out 32 shots. State (
“Our middle offense is running on all cylinders, so when
we pass well, Alexa has been pretty committed to getting the ball to Sam and
Sarah,” McCartney said.
“Andrea was another bright spot for us tonight; she
played extremely well on both sides of the ball,” he added.
The Cougars will look to bounce back tomorrow, with a 2
p.m. tilt versus Mount Marty before wrapping up tournament action against host
Dakota Wesleyan at 6 p.m.
.
