GREEN BAY, Wis. - Cora Behnke and Hannah Vanden Berg had huge days for the Green Bay volleyball team, but the team unfortunately fell to the South Dakota Coyotes 3-2 (15-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 17-19) Thursday at the Kress Events Center. The Phoenix nearly completed a comeback after falling down 0-2, but fell just short at the end of the fifth set.

Vanden Berg finished with 21 kills and 15 digs while Behnke was just behind at 19 kills and 14 digs. The Phoenix also got a boost on the offensive end from a career-high 11 kills from freshman Katie Schulz. On the defensive end, Emma Best chipped in for a season-high 22 digs to go with a career-high seven blocks from Ellie Kurpeikis. Emma Johnson also recorded a career-high 50 assists in the loss.

Have a day Katie! She's up to a career-high 1?1? kills!

S5 | GB(2) 4, USD(2) 2 pic.twitter.com/BTA0MPN4ue

— Green Bay Volleyball (@gbphoenixvb) September 15, 2023

The Coyotes were led by 18 kills and seven blocks from Madison Harms.

HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | The Phoenix fell behind early, losing a tough first set 25-15. South Dakota jumped out in front early 7-3 and never looked back, stretching their lead to as many as 10 points. USD's Kylen Sealock led the way with five kills in the set.

SET 2 | The Coyotes put the Phoenix on the verge of a sweep when they took the second set 25-22. The Phoenix hung around just three to four points behind the entire way, but USD never trailed and cruised to a second set win.

SET 3 | Green Bay responded with their backs against the wall and took the third set 25-21 to make the match 2-1. Offensive runs were key in the set win for GB, with a 6-0 run and a 4-0 run being key in the set win. The Phoenix played fundamental volleyball in the 6-0 run, capitalizing on five Coyote errors.

SET 4 | Green Bay continued the comeback, and notted the match up at 2-2 by winning the fourth set 25-19. The Green & White controlled the entirety of the match, which was highlighted by a 6-1 run in the middle of the set that gave them a 19-13 lead that they used to cruise to a set win.

SET 5 | The fifth set was the closest of the day, with the two teams trading points the entire way. South Dakota was on the verge of victory, leading 14-12 at set point. However, the Phoenix responded with a 3-0 to get themselves to set point. The Coyotos would respond as well to tie it at 15, and the two teams exchanged points until USD ripped off a 3-0 run to take the set and match.

GAME NOTES
» The two teams were nearly even attacking wise, with USD finishing with a .195 attack percentage compared to GB's .200.
» Green Bay had three players in double figures in kills.
» Green Bay had four players in double figures in digs.
» Behnke had a team-high two aces.

COMING UP
Green Bay will continue the Capital Credit Union Classic tomorrow against Central Michigan at 6 p.m. The tournament will close for the Phoenix on Saturday when they take on Illinois State at 2 p.m.

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