Aug. 30, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. - While young and still learning, the University of South Dakota women's volleyball team improved their season record to 3-2 with a dramatic and incredible comeback win over visiting Wayne State on Wednesday night in the DakotaDome.

The Coyotes, who will play in the Morningside Tournament this weekend, won the match by scores of 9-15, 10-15, 15-13, 15-7, 17-15. Freshman Sarah Vollertson of Palmyra, Neb., who registered a team-high 13 kills on 33 attacks for a .303 hitting percentage, led USD. She also had two solo blocks and six block assists. Sophomore Leslie Fusinato of Spring Valley, Ill., junior Nicole Johnson of Slayton, Minn. and freshman Becky Olson of Norfolk, Neb. each had 10 kills a piece.

USD came back from several deficits in the match and in the final game, including match point in the fifth game, trailing 13-14. Then, in a stunning turn of events, Olson registered consecutive kills to put the Coyotes up 16-15 and Vollertson capped the affair with a her 13th kill. Katie Wancho of Reddick, Ill. registered 28 set assists while Angela Golesh, a freshman from Lakewood, Colo. had 21 set assists for the Coyotes. Sophomore Angie Bjorkman of Vermillion had 17 digs to lead USD, Fusinato had 14 digs and Stacey Gonnerman, a sophomore from Sioux Falls, S.D. contributed with 11 digs.

This is the first time the Coyotes have been over .500 after the first five matches in several years. USD has already won one less match than all of last year (four).

Wayne State was led by Laurie Schroeder, who had 15 kills on 29 attacks. Kasey Meyer had 40 set assists for the Wildcats.