Volleyball enters final matches in search of positives

Victoria Berndt, Sports Reporter

Hoping to end their four-game losing streak, the South Dakota State volleyball team looks to take advantage of the next two home games.

“It is always nice to be at home,” SDSU coach Nicole Cirillo said in her Oct. 29 weekly update with GoJacks.com. “Being on the road last weekend was a little tough, and we had to change our plans last minute with College GameDay being in town, so that kind of threw the team for a loop.”

Since opening Summit League play with a victory, the Jacks have dropped eight of their last nine matches, and are looking to close out the final half-dozen contests of the season on a high note. They’ll get the opportunity to play two games at home this weekend after playing three straight on the road.

Previously when SDSU (5-17, 2-8 Summit) played the University of Denver (16-6, 8-2 Summit), the Jackrabbits took them to four sets, now they kick off November by hosting the Pioneers at 7 p.m. Friday.

“To have them at home is a good change of pace,” Cirillo said. “I think the girls are excited because it is Halloween weekend. We do a pumpkin decorating contest and they are eager to get started on those.”

At the game, the fans will get to vote on which pumpkin was the best pumpkin.

Ending the weekend, the Jacks host another struggling program, Oral Roberts (6-19, 2-9 Summit), at 1 p.m Sunday.

“Sunday will be a big match,” Cirillo said. “Nice to have them at home to give ourselves another opportunity to pull away because there are quite a few of us that are right in the mix of it here. It will be a big match for us to try to separate us from the rest of the group.”