INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off a pair of disappointing fifth-set losses, the IUPUI volleyball team returns home in search of a win when it hosts South Dakota State at 7 p.m. at The Jungle.
 
The Jaguars are 2-2 in Summit League play following losses to South Dakota and Oral Roberts, and in both matches the Jaguars held 2-1 leads.
 
"In each of the last two matches we haven't been consistent enough to win those matches," head coach Steve Payne said. "We lost a majority of those sets by two points and there isn't much room for error in close sets. We need to play with high intensity throughout the match and find a way to win those big points."
 
Through the first four matches of league play, Kaitlyn Hickey has been the Jags top hitter posting 4.00 kps while hitting at an impressive .282 clip from the outside. With her 17 kills in the last match, Hickey eclipsed 1,000 career kills making her the fifth player to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
 
The Jags have excelled behind the service line with 23 aces to start the conference slate, but defensively they have been averaging 15.00 dps and 1.28 bps which are well below there averages over the past two seasons.
 
South Dakota State comes into the weekend with a 0-4 league mark, and it has a balanced offensive attack that features nine players averaging at least 1.00 kps.
 
Friday will be the 15th meeting between the Jags and Jackrabbits with IUPUI holding an 8-6 lead in the all-time series. The Jaguars have won five straight in the series, including six straight inside The Jungle.
 
Live stats and live streaming of the match will be available through IUPUIJags.com.