SIOUX FALLS – With inspired play from sophomore Makenna Rockeman, the University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team (10-5, 4-3 NSIC) won a fourth consecutive match by turning back #11 Northern State (11-4, 4-3 NSIC) in four sets (25-12, 25-12, 22-25, and 25-15). With the victory, USF pulled into a sixth place tie in the NSIC with Wayne State and NSU.

Keying the win was Rockeman, who hit .391 with 21 kills on 46 attacks while also recording six digs and a block assist. The 21 kills is Rockeman's second highest total this season and the second time she has had over 20 kills in a match (22 vs. Bemidji State, Sept. 9). 

"We gave the game ball to Makenna (Rockeman) because of her leadership in this important win today," said USF head volleyball coach Joel McCartney. "She was all over the floor making plays. Early on she showed leadership by continuing to press the action and getting everyone involved. As a result, we had a really fine effort across the board," he said.

Also playing strong for USF was sophomore Lexi Scott who hit .348 as she had 12 kills on 23 attacks while recording four block assists as the Cougars had 18 on the match, including five from senior Jordan Calef, who also had eight kills. Sophomore Bria Barfnecht added 11 kills on 23 attacks as she had a .391 hitting percentage to go with three digs and three assists.

In total, USF, which has won 12-of-14 sets during the four-match winning streak, had 58 kills on 132 attacks for a .311 hitting percentage.

In fact, USF pretty much controlled the match throughout. They took the opening set as they converted 15 kills on 26 attacks and a .500 hitting percentage. Scott had consecutive kills for a 12-5 lead and Rockeman had two kills for a 23-11 lead. Schaap's service ace finished off the set. As a result, they took a 25-12 decision.

The Cougars' hitting percentage dropped slightly in the second set to .375 but they converted 14 kills on 32 attacks. In the opening two sets, USF had just four total hitting errors as they rushed out to a 2-0 lead.

In that second set, USF broke from a 6-6 tie by going on a 10-2 run for a 16-8 advantage. Keying the run was Scott, who had a pair of kills.  After NSU cut the deficit to 18-12, the Cougars used Rockeman's power upfront to run off seven straight points and win set two. In that seven-point run, Rockeman had three kills including the set clincher off an assist from Folk.

In the third set, USF had a 20-17 lead but the Wolves rallied for a 25-22 advantage as they had 15 kills on 36 attacks. USF hit just .116 with 13 kills on 43 attacks. In the final set, USF found a surge and jumped ahead 10-3 on a kill by Bartnecht and led 20-10 when NSU had a hitting error.  NSU could not get any traction in the final set as a kill by Rockeman and one by Scott ended the match at 25-15. In the final set, USF hit .355 with 16 kills on 31 attacks while NSU hit just four percent on eight kills in 27.

Abby Folk led the team with 18 digs while Sydney Schaap had 48 sets, four digs, four block assists and a kill. NSU was led by Holly Vancura with 11 kills while Ashley Rozell had 33 assists.

USF is back home at the Stewart Center next weekend with matches on Oct. 7 with Winona State (7 p.m.) and Oct. 8 (2 p.m.) with Upper Iowa.