University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
4-0,0-0Big East
South Dakota
2-2,0-0Summit League
Huskies Take Down South Dakota in Home Opener
9/4/2025 9:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball defeated South Dakota on Thursday night in four sets (26-24, 25-21, 25-27, 25-23) at the UConn Volleyball Center.Â
Emma Werkmeister took control early with three kills and two aces to put UConn up 10-7. The Coyotes fought back with three straight points to knot the score at 12-12, pulling ahead at the first media timeout following an ace from Kamryn Farris. Audrey Rome pulled the Huskies level at 17-all with a kill and a block. Ava Ball chipped in two kills for South Dakota, giving the visitors the lead at 20-18, but kills from Werkmeister, Jess Perry, and a combined block from Werkmeister and Anna Herman evened the score again at 22-22. Perry brought the Huskies to set point in an intense first set, with Brenna Wyman closing out the set for UConn, 26-24.
UConn jumped ahead 6-3 in the second set following two kills and a loud block from Rome. The hosts maintained their advantage throughout the frame, as Herman and Werkmeister combined for a rejection to extend the UConn lead to 15-10. The service line continued to be the story throughout the match, with McKenna Brand and Wyman firing in aces to keep the Huskies in front 20-16. South Dakota secured four of the following five points to level the set at 21-21, but two consecutive clutch aces from Isabella Suhy lifted the hosts to a 2-0 lead, taking the second frame 25-21.
South Dakota strung together two consecutive blocks to take an early 7-5 lead in the third. However, Werkmeister took over for the Huskies, with three aces in rapid succession to boost the hosts in front 11-7 to ignite a raucous UConn crowd. The visiting Coyotes responded, fighting all the way back to take a 17-16 lead after a 4-0 run later in the set. UConn answered with six of the next nine points out of a timeout, with kills from Perry and Maria putting the Huskies back in front 22-20. South Dakota staved off two match points to tie the score at 25-25, ultimately taking the third frame 27-25.
The Coyotes carried over their momentum from the third to take a 4-1 lead in the fourth frame. Kills from Herman and Perry brought the Huskies within a point at 6-5. Perry continued to shine for the Huskies with two consecutive kills to get UConn in front with a 13-12 lead. The heavyweight duel in the fourth set continued throughout, with the sides trading points throughout the frame, evening the score at 20-20. Rome came up clutch for the Huskies with two consecutive aces to get UConn in front 22-21. South Dakota went up 23-22, but the Huskies would not be denied in their pursuit of a victory, with Herman and Werkmeister pushing UConn across the finish line for their fourth straight victory to start the season. Â
Hear from the Huskies
"We worked as a team. We knew we had a battle against a great team," Werkmeister said. "I know my teammates are working so hard to get that ball up there, so I know I have to be there for them like they are there for me." Â
Up Next: The Huskies return to action tomorrow at 4:30 pm against Ball State. Â
