VERMILLION, S.D. – Drake volleyball (3-2) needed all five sets to eclipse the reigning Summit League champions and hosts of this weekend's event, the South Dakota Coyotes (1-5). The Bulldogs and Coyotes traded sets all the way through until Drake powered their way to a 3-2 victory.
 
The first set established a streaky tone for the evening as both teams were able to put together multiple runs. Trailing 9-7, Drake rattled off eight-straight points on six kills to take the lead. South Dakota was able to temporarily slow the Bulldogs' roll, trimming their deficit to just one, but another 8-2 run finished off a 25-17 Drake win in the first set.
 
The second set was just as streaky, this time in favor of the Coyotes. Drake led for the early portion of the period, but South Dakota did not look back after gaining the lead at 10-9. The Coyotes outscored Drake 6-3 down the stretch and knotted the match score at one apiece with a 25-20 win in the second set.
 
Drake found their rhythm again in the third, roaring out to a 12-7 lead. The Bulldogs' offensive firepower was too much for South Dakota as the hosts never threatened in the third frame and Drake cruised to a 25-14 set win with three-consecutive Haley Bush kills slamming the door.
 
South Dakota flipped the script in the penultimate fourth set, taking care of Drake by a 25-19 tally. Bush gave the Bulldogs a 12-10 lead in the period, but a late 8-2 flurry by the Coyotes forced a fifth set.
 
A Kacie Rewerts kill gave the Bulldogs the initial lead in the fifth frame and Drake did not relinquish their advantage. A 6-2 Drake run punctuated by a Gabbie Schroeder service ace to secure the 3-2 match victory.
 
Taylor Oberpriller and Macy Daufeldt led the Bulldogs' offensive attack with 16 kills each while the latter added 14 digs and the former posted five blocks. Haley Bush also recorded double-digit kills with 14 while collecting 16 digs and serving up two aces. Addison Beagle's 58 assists were the most in the entire match. Defensively, Jada Wills logged 26 digs and Kacie Rewerts rejected a season-high eight blocks.
 
"Tonight was a tough match for our team," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "South Dakota is a very good program, so to beat them on their home court is no small deal. It was tough, but our players worked through some challenges and found a way to win. I thought our defense held strong and we managed to establish a very balanced offense."
 
Drake's stay at the South Dakota Classic continues tomorrow afternoon with a match against IUPUI at 4 p.m.