SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Chadron State volleyball split its first two matches of four on the weekend in Sioux Falls, as the Eagles fell to Augustana in straight sets (19-25, 21-25, 19-25) before rebounding to beat Upper Iowa in four sets (25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19).
The 1-1 day moves CSC's record to 3-3. Augustana is now 6-1 after defeating the Eagles and losing in five sets to Emporia State on Friday while Upper Iowa is now 3-3 after losing to both No. 6 Washburn and CSC during Friday's action.
Mataya Ward and
Kally Kirkwood led the Eagle attack – tying for the team lead with 13 kills apiece against Upper Iowa and also leading with 11 and eight, respectively, against Augustana.
While Ward and Kirkwood were consistent options, Chadron State's defense had a night-and-day performance. In the opener against the Vikings, Augustana hit .345, setting the tone by hitting at a .432 clip in the first set.
Against Upper Iowa, however, the Peacocks only managed to hit .072 for the match, including a negative hitting percentage in the fourth and final set. The Eagles excelled at keeping the ball up in the nightcap, as four players had double digit digs (
Avery Lacy and
Jillian Donovan had 16 digs apiece while
Gibson Beckler and
Josie Loosvelt had 10 each). The Eagles had 71 digs as a team, their most in a single match this year.
Augustana's offensive efficiency overshadowed a strong showing from Chadron State. The Eagles hit .252, their best single-match percentage as a team of 2026 so far. Kirkwood was errorless in 20 attempts with her eight kills for a .400 percentage.
Against Upper Iowa, the Eagles had 52 kills to the Peacocks' 41. CSC added six aces (two each from
Avery Lacy,
Rayssa Da Silva and
Mataya Ward) and nine blocks, with
Sarah Meservey contributing two solo blocks and five total blocks.
The Eagles fell behind 3-0 in the first set but used a 4-0 run to take the lead and never trailed again in the opening frame. An 8-1 run comprised of two Kirkwood kills, two
Avery Lacy aces, a Meservey block and three Peacock errors put the Eagles in control, up 22-12.
In set two, the Peacocks took a brief 2-0 lead, but the Eagles reeled off the next six points, with Meservey and Kirkwood teaming up a block before Meservey recorded back-to-back kills to end the run. Upper Iowa saved four set points to repeat the first set score with the Eagles winning 25-18.
The third set proved sluggish for both teams, with Upper Iowa hitting .167 to CSC's .146 mark, then errors crippled Upper Iowa to end the match. The Peacocks committed 12 attack errors in set four, accounting for nearly half of CSC's points.
While Ward and Kirkwood received the most volume in attack, sophomore
Brandi Helzer (five kills, no errors, .417 PCT) and junior
Rayssa Da Silva (three kills, no errors, .429 PCT) were efficient in their offensive chances.
Chadron State will continue play at both Augustana and Sioux Falls tomorrow, facing UMary at 9 a.m. MT (10 a.m. CT) in Augustana's gym before playing at Sioux Falls at 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT.
