University of St. Thomas Athletics
Thursday, October 12
Vermillion, S.D. / Sanford Coyote Sports Center
7:00 p.m. Central
4-13,0-6Summit League
0
at
3
South Dakota
10-7,4-2Summit League
1
2
3
F
St. Thomas (MN)
17
19
20
0
South Dakota
25
25
25
3
Team Stats
UST
SD
Kills
32
50
Errors
17
17
Attempts
114
121
Hitting %
.132
.273
Points
41.0
62.0
Assists
30
49
Aces
1
3
Blocks
8
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
RS
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH/RS
/ Volleyball
RS
/ VolleyballOH/RS
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
Volleyball falls short to South Dakota in Vermillion
10/12/2023 8:45:00 PM | Volleyball
Tezra Rudzitis led the Purple with nine kills
VERMILLION, S.D. – Sophomore outside hitter Tezra Rudzitis had a strong match leading the team with nine kills and sophomore setter Keya Luta Win Hunt had a season high 13 assists as St. Thomas volleyball fell to the University of South Dakota in three sets (17-25, 19-25, 20-25).
The Tommies fall to 4-13 overall and 0-6 in Summit League play while the Coyotes improve to 10-7 overall and 4-2 in league play.
RECAP
The Coyotes started the match with a 4-0 lead until an error and kill by senior opposite hitter Claire Ricard put the Tommies on the board for a 5-2 game. USD didn't hold up and continued their lead. Sophomore Ellie Gustafson helped the Tommies go on a 4-0 run with a kill, block assist, and solo block to decrease the gap 21-15. Six total blocks from sophomore middle Megan Wetter, Ricard, Rudzitis, and Gustafson kept the Tommies in the game, but they weren't able to take over the Coyotes to open the match.
USD came out strong in the second set with a 7-2 lead, but kills by sophomore Ella Voegele and Wetter, helped the Tommies to a 7-5 score. Kills by sophomore Kaitlynn Peterson and Gustafson as well as a block by freshman Emily Clausen and Wetter gave the Tommies a 3-0 run to tighten the gap, 19-12. Another three-point run and block from Gustafson and Rudzitis showed the Tommies weren't done for a 23-19 game. Despite scoring 10 of the final 16 points, the Tommies fell short with a 25-19 loss.
The Tommies carried their offensive momentum into set three as junior outside hitter Libby Mattila achieved back-to-back-to-back kills to tie the game 5-5. A kill by sophomore outside hitter Ava Wild and service ace by junior Payton Willman put the Tommies on top 7-6 for the first time in the match. Rudzitis followed Mattila's lead, having four kills of her own, split assists by Hunt and Kealy, for a 12-10 lead. The Tommies were able to keep the lead until 18-18, with the Coyotes going on a 7-3 to finish the match.
TOP TOMMIES
The Tommies fall to 4-13 overall and 0-6 in Summit League play while the Coyotes improve to 10-7 overall and 4-2 in league play.
RECAP
The Coyotes started the match with a 4-0 lead until an error and kill by senior opposite hitter Claire Ricard put the Tommies on the board for a 5-2 game. USD didn't hold up and continued their lead. Sophomore Ellie Gustafson helped the Tommies go on a 4-0 run with a kill, block assist, and solo block to decrease the gap 21-15. Six total blocks from sophomore middle Megan Wetter, Ricard, Rudzitis, and Gustafson kept the Tommies in the game, but they weren't able to take over the Coyotes to open the match.
USD came out strong in the second set with a 7-2 lead, but kills by sophomore Ella Voegele and Wetter, helped the Tommies to a 7-5 score. Kills by sophomore Kaitlynn Peterson and Gustafson as well as a block by freshman Emily Clausen and Wetter gave the Tommies a 3-0 run to tighten the gap, 19-12. Another three-point run and block from Gustafson and Rudzitis showed the Tommies weren't done for a 23-19 game. Despite scoring 10 of the final 16 points, the Tommies fell short with a 25-19 loss.
The Tommies carried their offensive momentum into set three as junior outside hitter Libby Mattila achieved back-to-back-to-back kills to tie the game 5-5. A kill by sophomore outside hitter Ava Wild and service ace by junior Payton Willman put the Tommies on top 7-6 for the first time in the match. Rudzitis followed Mattila's lead, having four kills of her own, split assists by Hunt and Kealy, for a 12-10 lead. The Tommies were able to keep the lead until 18-18, with the Coyotes going on a 7-3 to finish the match.
TOP TOMMIES
- Sophomore outside hitter, Tezra Rudzitis led the team with 10 points, coming from nine kills and two block assists. She also added one assist and one dig.
- Freshman Ellie Gustafson achieved 12 digs, five kills, two assists and two total blocks for seven points for the Tommies.
- Sophomore Keya Luta Win Hunt led the team with 13 assists for a season high and also added two digs.
- Sophomore Ella Voegele led the team with 18 digs and added one kill. She surpassed 250 digs this season and ranks second in the Summit League with 253 total digs and 4.15 digs per set.
UP NEXT
The Tommies have a quick turnaround with a home match this Saturday, October 14th back in Schoenecker Arena. They will host North Dakota State at 12 p.m. to continue Summit League play. Early next week, Kansas City will be in Saint Paul to face the Tommies on Tuesday, October 17th at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2023 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
The Tommies have a quick turnaround with a home match this Saturday, October 14th back in Schoenecker Arena. They will host North Dakota State at 12 p.m. to continue Summit League play. Early next week, Kansas City will be in Saint Paul to face the Tommies on Tuesday, October 17th at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2023 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
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