SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team turned in another efficient offensive performance Saturday afternoon inside the Stewart Center, but fell to Jamestown in straight sets to close out its weekend of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action.
Despite hitting .310 as a team, the Cougars were unable to overcome a strong offensive showing from the Jimmies, who finished with a .376 hitting percentage and 13 service aces. Jamestown claimed the match by scores of 25-19, 25-14 and 25-21.
Ella Walker led Sioux Falls with 11 kills on an impressive .625 hitting percentage, while Kyleigh Tangen added six kills without an attacking error. The Cougars move to 6-13 overall and 2-9 in NSIC play, while Jamestown improves to 14-5 overall and 7-4 in conference action.
The Basics
Final: Jamestown 3, Sioux Falls 0
Set Scores: 19-25, 14-25, 21-25
Records: Sioux Falls 6-13 (2-9 NSIC) | Jamestown
How It Happened
Sioux Falls opened the afternoon with a kill from Haley Wolfe to take the first point of the match, but Jamestown responded with an early run to establish a 6-3 advantage. The Cougars battled back behind kills from Walker and Aubrey Gates to even the score at 6-6 before the Jimmies used a five-point stretch to build an 11-6 lead. USF continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 16-14 following a kill from Hollie Peterson, but Jamestown answered with three consecutive points to regain control. A late service ace from Peterson brought the Cougars within three at 21-18 before the Jimmies closed out the opening frame, 25-19. Sioux Falls hit .258 in the set with 13 kills.
Jamestown carried its momentum into the second set, jumping ahead 8-3 before extending its advantage to 14-9. Walker provided a spark offensively for Sioux Falls, recording six kills in the frame, but the Jimmies continued to find success at the net. Jamestown used a six-point run late in the set to build a 23-11 advantage. The Cougars responded with three consecutive points, including a block from Bre Van Den Top and Taya Thaden, before the Jimmies secured the 25-14 victory. Jamestown hit .519 in the second set, recording 17 kills on 27 attempts.
Facing a two-set deficit, Sioux Falls put together its strongest offensive frame of the afternoon in the third. After falling behind 8-5, the Cougars battled back behind kills from Walker, Haus and Tangen. USF used a three-point run to take a 12-11 lead, highlighted by consecutive kills from Tangen and a block from Haus and Thaden.
Jamestown responded with five consecutive points to regain a 16-12 advantage, but Sioux Falls continued to battle. A service ace from Maegan Cheeseman and a kill from Walker helped the Cougars cut the deficit to 19-17. USF later pulled within three at 24-21 before the Jimmies recorded the final point to secure the 25-21 victory and complete the sweep. Sioux Falls finished the third set with 15 kills and a .414 hitting percentage, committing just three attacking errors.
Key Cougars
Ella Walker led Sioux Falls with 11 kills on 16 attempts while committing just one attacking error for a .625 hitting percentage. Walker also added a block assist and finished with a team-high 11.5 points.
Abby Haus contributed seven kills on .313 hitting while adding two blocks. Kyleigh Tangen recorded six kills on 12 attempts without an error, finishing with a .500 hitting percentage.
Aubrey Gates added five kills and seven digs, while Taya Thaden contributed four kills on .333 hitting and two blocks.
Hollie Peterson directed the Cougar offense with 24 assists and a service ace, while Maegan Cheeseman added seven assists and an ace.
Maci Lerseth anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 11 digs, four assists and a service ace.
By the Numbers
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Sioux Falls finished with 38 kills and a .310 hitting percentage, committing just 12 attacking errors on 84 attempts.
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Walker hit .625 with 11 kills and just one error on 16 attempts.
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Tangen recorded six kills without an attacking error, hitting .500.
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The Cougars hit .414 in the third set, their highest percentage of the afternoon.
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Jamestown finished with 43 kills on .376 hitting, including a .519 performance in the second set.
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The Jimmies held a 13-3 advantage in service aces.
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Peterson recorded 24 assists, while Lerseth led the Cougars with 11 digs.
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Jamestown finished with five total blocks compared to three for Sioux Falls.
Up Next
Sioux Falls will continue their homestand next weekend when they host MSU Moorhead on October 16th followed by Minnesota Crookston on the 17th.
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