Roos Fall Short in Hard-Fought Battle Against Undefeated Jackrabbits

Thursday, October 3

Brookings, SD

7:00 PM

Kansas City

3-10,1-1Summit League

South Dakota State

14-0,3-0Summit League

Kansas City

South Dakota St.

Photo by: Ryan Weaver Photography

Roos Fall Short in Hard-Fought Battle Against Undefeated Jackrabbits

10/3/2024 11:25:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Kansas City’s aggressive play and standout efforts from Dunford and Green push South Dakota State in a gritty showdown

BROOKINGS, SD- Kansas City battled hard but came up short in a tightly contested match against South Dakota State (22-25, 20-25, 19-25). Kaia Dunford led the Roos with 12 kills, adding 13.5 total points and 11 digs to her all-around performance. Sydney Henry guided the offense with 29 assists, while Nyle Mathis chipped in 8 kills and 3 digs. Defensively, Leah Green was a standout, collecting 13 digs and 2 aces, while Ledisi Kpea added 4 blocks at the net. Despite the outcome, Kansas City's aggressive serving and defensive presence kept them competitive throughout the match.

SET-BY-SET VS. South Dakota State

SET ONE / 22-25: The Jackrabbits quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Ledisi Kpea capitalized on their weakness, collecting her first solo block to bring Kansas City within one at 3-4. The Jackrabbits attempted to spark a scoring run, but Kaia Dunford shut them down twice, tying the score at 5-5 and again at 6-6. Both teams remained close exchanging points and keeping the game tight. Late in the set, Dunford delivered a crucial kill to tie it at 21-21, but the Jackrabbits regained momentum and pushed ahead to secure the set.

SET TWO / 20-25: South Dakota State took an early 3-1 lead, but Nyle Mathis got Kansas City on the board after the Jackrabbits couldn't stop her kill, pulling the Roos within one. Mathis continued her scoring streak, breaking up a three-point run by the Jackrabbits. Leah Green then stepped up to the serving line delivering an ace to cut the deficit to just one. Sydney Henry tied the score with a kill set up by Brooke Boyer. The teams battled closely tying the set at 18-18, but a timeout by Kansas City couldn't stop the Jackrabbits, who pulled ahead to win the set 25-20.

SET THREE / 19-25:Kailee Deffebaugh checks into the match and quickly makes an impact, scoring the first point for Kansas City to even it at 1-1. The Jackrabbits sparked a run, but the Roos kept them within reach, with a key solo block from Sila Ozyurek making it 6-9. Kansas City chipped away at the deficit, closing the gap to 11-12, which forced an SDSU timeout. However, a late five-point run by South Dakota State at 18-23 sealed the set and ultimately the match for the Jackrabbits.

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City dominated at the service line, out-acing South Dakota State 4-2. Leah Green led with 2 aces, while Sydney Henry and Brooke Boyer each added one
The Roos' defense stood tall at the net, collecting an impressive 11 blocks, which outshined South Dakota State's 9. Sila Ozyurek and Ledisi Kpea made key contributions with crucial blocks that helped Kansas City stay competitive and disrupt the Jackrabbits' offensive flow.

UP NEXT:
Kansas City heads to St. Paul, MN to face the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday, October 5th at Noon