South Dakota Volleyball Falls to DePaul in Drake Invitational Finale
Source: Dakota News Now Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The South Dakota volleyball team tasted defeat for the first time in the 2026 season, dropping a 3-1 decision to DePaul on the final day of the Drake Invitational. The Coyotes finished the opening weekend with a 2-1 record, showing flashes of promise but ultimately undone by costly errors.
The first set proved a struggle for USD, as hitting inconsistencies plagued the offense. Lauren Medeck and Gabi Zachariasen each contributed four kills to keep the set close, but 12 attacking errors handed the Blue Demons a 25-21 win. DePaul built a 17-13 lead with a five-point run, and though the Coyotes answered with a four-point spurt to cut the deficit to 20-18, a hitting error sealed the set for DePaul.
South Dakota regrouped in the second set, showcasing the resilience that defined their opening wins. The Coyotes stormed to an 18-13 advantage behind an eight-point streak, with Medeck powering the run with three kills. Chloe Kmiecik, who entered early in the set, notched her first two kills as a Coyote and added a block. DePaul clawed back within two at 20-18, but Zachariasen took over, delivering three kills in a four-point stretch to push USD ahead. Audrey Nelson and Amanda Loschen closed out the set with back-to-back kills, giving the Coyotes a 25-23 victory. The defensive effort surged in the second set, with 25 digs led by Avery Van Hook’s eight and six each from Samantha Untiedt and Sierra Pokharel.
Momentum shifted in the third set as DePaul’s attack found its rhythm, hitting .360 after struggling below .120 in the first two frames. The Coyotes started strong, with Loschen notching a kill and two blocks alongside Zachariasen to build a 6-1 lead. USD held the edge until a 6-0 DePaul run turned the tide, putting the Blue Demons up 19-16. Nelson pulled the Yotes within one at 23-22 with a kill, but consecutive Coyote errors handed DePaul a 25-22 win.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle. South Dakota trailed for most of the frame but mounted a late push, scoring three straight points to take a 22-21 lead. DePaul responded with four unanswered points, closing out the match 25-22. The Blue Demons posted their best hitting percentage of the match at .371 with 16 kills in the final set.
Medeck’s 17 kills were the most by a Coyote in any match this weekend, and she finished with a .275 hitting percentage, 10 digs, two blocks and an ace. Van Hook recorded 45 assists and led the team in digs for the third consecutive match with 17. Pokharel added 16 digs, while Untiedt chipped in 12. Loschen contributed 10 kills on a .381 hitting percentage along with five blocks, and Nelson also reached double figures with 10 kills.
Despite outkilling DePaul 57-49, the Coyotes committed 27 hitting errors and 13 service errors, compared to the Blue Demons’ 18 and 10, respectively. Those miscues proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
South Dakota now turns its attention to the home opener Thursday night at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, where they will host Utah Valley at 7 p.m. to begin the South Dakota Classic.
Article commentary
The South Dakota Coyotes’ 3-1 loss to DePaul on the final day of the Drake Invitational offers a revealing snapshot of a team still finding its footing early in the 2026 season. While the 2-1 weekend record is respectable, the match exposed persistent vulnerabilities that could prove costly as the schedule stiffens. On the positive side, the Coyotes demonstrated offensive firepower, outkilling DePaul 57-49. Lauren Medeck emerged as a reliable go-to option, posting 17 kills with a .275 hitting percentage while contributing defensively with 10 digs and two blocks. Her ability to produce in high-pressure moments, especially during the second-set run, signals that she can anchor the attack. The setters, led by Avery Van Hook’s 45 assists and 17 digs, orchestrated a balanced offense that saw four players reach double-digit kills. The defensive effort in the second set, with 25 digs, highlighted the team’s potential to disrupt opponents when focused. However, the glaring issue was the error count. Twenty-seven hitting errors and 13 service errors gifted DePaul 40 free points, effectively neutralizing the Coyotes’ edge in kills. In a sport where momentum swings are often dictated by unforced errors, South Dakota’s lack of discipline proved fatal. The first set alone saw 12 hitting errors, setting a pattern that recurred in critical moments—particularly in the third and fourth sets, where two consecutive errors ended the set and allowed DePaul’s late run to close out the match. Another concern is the team’s ability to sustain leads. After building a 6-1 advantage in the third set, the Coyotes allowed DePaul to go on a 6-0 run and seize control. In the fourth set, they rallied to take a 22-21 lead but then surrendered four straight points. These lapses suggest a lack of closing instinct, an area that must improve as the season progresses. DePaul’s resurgence in the third and fourth sets, hitting .360 and .371 after a sluggish start, also raises questions about South Dakota’s defensive adjustments. The Blue Demons found gaps in the Coyote block and forced the back row into difficult coverage situations. While the 57 digs were solid, the inability to slow DePaul’s attack in the final two sets proved pivotal. Looking ahead, the home opener against Utah Valley offers a chance to correct these errors. The Coyotes have the offensive weapons to compete with any team, but they must tighten ball control and reduce mental mistakes. The coaching staff will likely emphasize serve-receive consistency and set-to-set focus. If South Dakota can cut down its error rate by even 10 percent, the ceiling for this team is high. The 2-1 start provides a foundation, but the real test begins with sustaining performance against a deeper slate of opponents.