SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota junior
Madison Jurgens and sophomore
Elizabeth Juhnke were named Players to Watch in conjunction with the Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Wednesday.
South Dakota, coming off a school-record 31-3 campaign and the school's first-ever outright and unbeaten Summit League regular season title, was picked to win the league by the coaches. The Coyotes garnered 63 points in the voting from the league coaches, including seven of the nine first place votes.
Denver, the Summit League tournament champions during the 2019 fall season, received the other two first-place votes and tallied 57 points.
"The preseason poll is something that signals that season is here!" said South Dakota head coach
Leanne Williamson. "This year, it is exciting to see because of how long our sport has had to wait to compete again, and I know that everyone is ready to get started!
"This team has worked really hard in the off season to keep improving after the 2019 season, and we return a lot of people. In the end, the preseason poll is just that, and now the real work starts! However, we are looking forward to a competitive Summit League season!"
Juhnke, the Summit League Freshman of the Year in 2019, led the league at 4.23 kills per set and 520 total kills. The Lakeville, Minnesota, native, was just the second Coyote to surpass 500 kills in a single season. The all-rotation player also contributed 356 digs and 87 total blocks in the 2019 season.
Jurgens, the Summit League Setter of the Year, led the league and ranked sixth nationally at 11.72 assists per set. The Odell, Nebraska, product produced 1,442 assists, a single season best for the Coyotes in the Division I era. The All-Summit League honoree also contributed 331 digs and 45 service aces to go with 76 kills and 29 total blocks.
The Coyotes will open the 2021 spring season by participating in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, Missouri. South Dakota faces Wichita State at 2 p.m. on Friday and host Missouri State at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
2020 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. |
South Dakota |
63 (7) |
| 2. |
Denver |
57 (2) |
| 3. |
Omaha |
50 |
| 4. |
Kansas City |
41 |
| 5. |
North Dakota State |
37 |
| 6. |
North Dakota |
25 |
| 7. |
Oral Roberts |
23 |
| 8. |
South Dakota State |
20 |
| 9. |
Western Illinois |
8 |
