ATLANTA—South Dakota women's basketball has been named to the 2017-18 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top-25 Honor Roll for the third-straight season.
 
"It is such an honor to coach student-athletes who represent themselves with a 'be your best' mentality in all that they do," said USD head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "We are so immensely proud of our young ladies for their continued commitment to excellence in the classroom!
 
"The incredible work ethic and competitive spirit that our players demonstrate both on and off the court will definitely assist them in the next phase of their lives as well. That is exemplified by the fact that our three recent graduates in Caitlin Duffy, Kate Liveringhouse and Jasmine Trimboli have all received great opportunities in the workforce within such a short time since graduation! We are so happy for these three graduates and we are very thankful that our student-athletes represent themselves and the University of South Dakota so well!"
 
The Coyotes compiled a team grade-point average of 3.506 for 17th on the NCAA Division I list. South Dakota joins Western Illinois, South Dakota State and North Dakota State in representing The Summit League on the list.
 
The first undefeated Summit League regular season champion in 24 years, South Dakota boasted a 29-7 overall record. The Coyotes advanced to the Women's National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Guard Ciara Duffy became the Coyotes' first NCAA Division I Academic All-American in women's basketball.
 
The WBCA annually recognizes the top-25 GPAs for programs at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college/community college levels. This marks the 23rd year the WBCA has compiled the honor roll.
 
"The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women's basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The 119 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts."
 
A list of the NCAA Division I WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll is included below.
 

Rank	Institution	Head Coach	GPA
1	University of Wisconsin, Green Bay	Kevin Borseth	3.753
2	Western Illinois University	Jd Gravina	3.751
3	St. Francis College	John  Thurston	3.749
4	Robert Morris University	Charlie Buscaglia	3.748
5	Loyola University Maryland	Joseph Logan	3.736
6	University of Idaho	Jon Newlee	3.691
7	Drake University	Jennie Baranczyk	3.653
8	South Dakota State University	Aaron Johnston	3.641
9	Creighton University	Jim Flanery	3.633
10	Youngstown State University	John Vogel	3.615
11	IUPUI	Austin Parkinson	3.614
12	Miami University OH	Megan Duffy	3.600
13	Belmont University	Bart Brooks	3.595
14	Lafayette College	Kia Damon	3.538
15	DePaul University	Douglas Bruno	3.531
16	Utah Valley University	Cathy Nixon	3.508
17	University of South Dakota	Dawn Plitzuweit	3.506
T18	Eastern Washington University	Wendy Schuller	3.500
T18	North Dakota State University	Maren Walseth	3.500
20	Fairfield University	Joseph Frager	3.499
21	University of Northern Colorado	Kamie Ethridge	3.490
22	Unviersity of Wyoming	Joe Legerski	3.476
23	Houston Baptist	Donna Finnie	3.472
24	Fordham University	Stephanie Gaitley	3.464
25	Eastern Illinois University	Matthew Bollant	3.456