SIOUX FALLS – A pair of South Dakota sophomores in Madison Jurgens and Maddie Wiedenfeld have been named Summit League Athletes of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.
 
Jurgens, the setter, takes home Offensive Player of the Week honors after earning tourney MVP accolades at the recently completed Kangaroo Klassic in Kansas City. Wiedenfeld, meanwhile, has been named the Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Jurgens, a native of Odell, Nebraska, contributed 105 assists in the three matches, good for 11.67 per set. The Summit League leader in assists per set (10.96) also chipped in eight kills, seven service aces and 21 digs as a full six-rotation player for the Coyotes.
 
"Madison had a really good weekend for us," coach Leanne Williamson said. "She moved the ball around well and found ways to put our hitters in good situations to ultimately have success. It was good to see her play with such confidence and ultimately help our hitters feel confident as well.
 
"We hit for a high percentage as a team, which ultimately is impacted by our setting.
 
The Coyotes, now 6-1, hit .319 as a team over the course of the three matches, 3-0 sweeps over Tulsa, Kansas City and Louisiana Tech.
 
Wiedenfeld, who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, had a strong weekend at the net as part of a blocking unit from South Dakota that averaged 3.06 blocks per set. Wiedenfeld, who ranks eighth nationally in blocks per set (1.82), was personally responsible for 15 block assists while also chipping in 26 kills offensively.
 
"Maddie has really made a great change with her blocking," added Williamson. "She has found a way to make a big impact on the court. This will continue to help us improve defensively as a team as well.
 
"I was really happy to see her have that much success after the work that she has put into changing her block."
 
The Coyotes host the South Dakota Classic on Friday and Saturday inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Other teams competing will be UC Davis, Wyoming and Iowa.