JACKSONVILLE – Gamecock volleyball's best start to non-conference play in the program's Division I history was extended with a three-set sweep of South Dakota State on Friday evening. JSU swept the visiting Jackrabbits 25-14, 25-23, 25-20 in the Day One nightcap of the Gamecock Classic to improve to 8-0 on the season.
 
The momentum garnered in Jacksonville State's sweep of Nicholls earlier in the day certainly carried over to their match with SDSU. The Gamecock offense started hot and never slowed down, going on two 6-0 scoring runs in the opening period to claim a 25-14 first-set victory. 
 
Both offenses flexed their muscles the next set, but JSU's .500 team hit percentage proved to be the difference in their slim 25-23 triumph. 
 
Another competitive set followed in the third, but several huge plays, including back-to-back aces by senior Kylee Quigley, helped Jacksonville State secure a 25-20 set win and a three-set victory over a quality South Dakota State squad.
 
"It was an awesome win over a really good team with a lot of offensive weapons," head coach Todd Garvey said after the victory. "I felt that we were very well balanced on offense, played good defense throughout, and Claire (Ochs) did a great job spreading the ball around."
 
One key to the Gamecock win was a balanced offensive attack. Fifth year athletes Lena Kindermann and Katie Montgomery led the team with 11 and 10 kills and hit .450 and .471 respectively. Quigley added eight kills, six digs, two blocks, and two aces, and graduate transfer Sophie Riemersma had seven kills and five digs to go along with her .429 clip. Graduate setter Claire Ochs finished with 34 assists, six digs, and three kills, and sophomore Brooklyn Schiffli ended up with five digs and three aces. 
 
"We played really well today, and I'm pleased offensively and defensively," Garvey said. "We still have to get better at not relaxing when things go our way. When they need to play their best, when their backs are against the wall, they do. But they have to learn to put their foot down when they have leads."
 
Garvey also extended his gratitude for the fans who made the trip to the Pete Mathews Coliseum for Friday night's affair. "I was really impressed with the crowd and can't thank the community and student body enough for coming out," Garvey said. "It was so great having that kind of support for our girls."
 
Jacksonville State will finish action in the Gamecock Classic tomorrow night. Following a Nicholls doubleheader versus Samford (10 a.m.) and South Dakota State (2 p.m.), the Gamecocks will take on the in-state Bulldogs in Saturday's nightcap. That game at the Pete Mathews Coliseum will start at 6 p.m., and it will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
"It should be a good battle, because they're a very well coached team that usually wins their conference," Garvey said. "They present a lot of challenges for us, but I think we present a lot of challenges for them."