ST. CLOUD, MINN. – Cougar Volleyball closed their season tonight falling, 3-0, to #2 St. Cloud State in the opening round of the 2024 NSIC Tournament.
MATCH DETAILS
Final Score: USF 0, SCSU 3 (17-25, 22-25, 20-25)
Team Records: USF 15-12, SCSU 25-2
MATCH RECAP
In the first set, Sioux Falls struggled to match the efficiency of St. Cloud State, who hit .424 with 17 kills. The Cougars managed 11 kills on a .207 clip, but couldn't maintain the momentum needed to challenge the Huskies' early dominance.
The second set was much closer, with USF fighting back from multiple deficits to tie the score late. However, the Huskies' balanced attack proved decisive in closing out the set.
In the third set, Sioux Falls showed grit, coming back to tie the set twice. Unfortunately, key errors and a powerful finishing run from St. Cloud sealed the match for the home team.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Offensive Standouts:
Aubrey Gates led the charge for Sioux Falls with 11 kills and an impressive .500 hitting percentage. Sadie Voss added 9 kills and 11 digs, showing her versatility on both offense and defense.
Jordan Kuper added 7 kills and 3 blocks while Jordyn Hamm was efficient, contributing 6 kills on a .500 hitting percentage, along with a block.
Setting Excellence:
Elise Gillen was pivotal in distributing the offense, recording 29 assists and adding a service ace. Her connection with hitters kept the Cougars competitive, especially in the second and third sets.
Defensive Resilience:
Faith Van Eck and Gillen combined for 16 digs, while the team recorded 43 digs overall. The Cougars' defense worked hard against a dynamic St. Cloud State attack led by Kuper and Voss.
THANK YOU, SENIORS
Seniors Jordan Kuper, Jordyn Hamm, Grace Hanel and Anna Ruhland closed their USF careers tonight, but not before rewriting the USF record book.
Kuper closes her career as a four-time NSIC All-Conference selection and sits fifth on the USF all-time kills list with 975 throughout her career. She sits third in total blocks with 394, third in assisted blocks with 311 and holds the top spot in solo blocks with 83 career blocks. Kuper closes her career with a .338 attacking percentage in 376 sets played. She is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence member as well as a Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award recipient and has been named to the D2 ADA Academic Achievement list.
Hamm closed her career within the top-10 of the USF all-time kills list with 654 career kills and second in career service aces with 123. She finishes fourth in total blocks with 356 and second in solo blocks with 61. Hamm finished her career with a .309 attacking percentage in 390 sets played along with 230 digs and 295 assisted blocks. She has been named a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence member as well as a CSC All-District Academic Team while being named to the D2 ADA Academic Achievement list.
Hanel finishes with 302 kills in 142 sets played while recording 122 digs and 61 total blocks. She is a two-time NSIC Fall All-Academic Team of Excellence member and an NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award recipient. Hanel has also been named to the D2 ADA Academic Achievement list.
Ruhland closes her career with 59 career kills in 75 sets played. Defensively, she recorded 31 digs and 35 total blocks for the Cougars. Ruhland is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence member and has been named to the D2 ADA Academic Achievement list.
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