SIOUX FALLS - Looking to pick off their second ranked opponent this season, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball took the first set off No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State and pushed the Mustangs in set three before falling, 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-17), on Tuesday night.
 
The Cougars were led by Makenna Rockeman's 14 kills while Lexi Scott and Bria Barfnecht turned in 11 kills apiece. As a team, Sioux Falls posted a .217 attack percentage, including a .333 mark with 14 kills in the first set, but the Mustangs were to much, hitting .290 as a team and placing four different hitters in double-digit kills.
 
After trailing early in the opening set, Sioux Falls used a pair of SMSU errors and a Kelli Holloway service ace sandwiched around two of Scott's kills to take back the lead. The two teams continued to jockey for the lead before the Cougars made a late push.
 
Scott and Rockeman connected on kills to USF a three-point edge then Calef and Rockeman provided the terminations for a set-point opportunity. After SMSU fought off the first two set-point attempts, Calef gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead with her fourth kill of the set to finish it 25-23 in favor of USF.
 
After jumping out to a 5-1 lead, the Cougars struggled on offense, hitting just nine kills in the second set compared to SMSU's 18 terminations. A brief burst by USF, which involved kills from Rockeman and Scott, pulled the Cougars within two points, but SMSU was too much in the 25-17 win to even the match score.
 
Needing extra points, the third set was thrilling with each team knowing the importance of taking a 2-1 lead in the match. First, SMSU reeled off five straight points to start, but USF Head Coach Joel McCartney didn't take a timeout and was rewarded with his team clawing back to take a 10-8 lead. Barfnecht and Aubrey Milne started the comeback with kills then Barfnecht and Scott teamed up for a pair of blocks to push ahead.
 
Scott and Milne connected again and Janelle Lam served up an ace before Milne tagged her third kill of the set, putting the Cougars up by two. Each team went on a short run, placing pressure on the other, but neither faltered as the set waned. Rockeman notched two more kills to tie the set at 22-22 then a service error and Rockeman-Calef block gave USF a set point chance. An error halted USF's first chance, but the Cougars thwarted SMSU's set-point opportunity on the first two chances the Mustangs had. Rockeman and Barfnecht's kills stopped the SMSU from their 2-1 lead, but a third opportunity was all the Mustangs needed for a 28-26 win and 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Despite their lowest offensive output in a set on the night, USF still battled the Mustangs tight in the fourth set. The Cougars battled back from an eight-point deficit to pull within three at 15-12. Rockeman notched three kills as part of the comeback while Milne started and ended the run as the catalyst in two of USF's nine blocks. The comeback ended there, however, as SMSU put away the Cougars 25-17 for the match-sealing win.
 
Sioux Falls continues a home stand this weekend, hosting Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State on Oct. 21 and 22, respectively.