SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— South Dakota fourth-year juniors Elizabeth Juhnke and Madison Harms were named Summit League Players to Watch in conjunction with the volleyball preseason poll announced Wednesday.
 
South Dakota, coming off its third NCAA Tournament berth in four years, was picked to finish second in the league by the coaches. The Coyotes (20-10) snagged three of the 10 first-place votes and tallied 74 points in the voting, one point shy of preseason favorite Denver.
 
"We are excited to get the season started!" head coach Leanne Williamson said. "This year should be another year where the Summit League is better, and we are looking forward to a tough conference schedule."
 
"With that, it is great to hear that people believe we will be towards the top of the league.  However, we have so much to learn and accomplish before the conference season starts.  In addition, each match within the league will be tough and no matches are guaranteed!  We are looking forward to competing against a lot of great opponents this season!"
 
Juhnke, a returning All-American, led the league last season at 3.97 kills per set and 461 total kills. A native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Juhnke was named the Summit League Tournament MVP for the second consecutive season. The all-rotation player also contributed 347 digs, 56 blocks, 37 assists, and 23 service aces during the 2021 season.
 
Harms, a two-time first-team All-Summit League middle blocker, was the Coyotes' third-leading hitter at 2.52 kills per set and 257 total kills. A native of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Harms set a single-season record for hitting percentage at .409, which is sixth all-time in Summit League history. Harms also ranked second in the league with a team-high 121 total blocks and 1.19 blocks per set.
 
South Dakota, for the first-time ever, will open its season playing at home inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The Coyotes open the season by hosting 2021 Final Four team Louisville at 7 p.m. Friday. The game is a part of the four-team Coyote Invitational that also includes Missouri and Northern Kentucky this weekend.
 
2022 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	School	Points (1st)	2021 Record (SL)
1.	Denver	75 (6)	23-6 (14-4)
2.	South Dakota	74 (3)	20-10 (15-3)
3.	Omaha	68 (1)	20-10 (16-2)
4.	Oral Roberts	53	18-11 (11-7)
5.	South Dakota State	51	19-12 (10-8)
6.	Kansas City	42	21-10 (12-6)
7.	North Dakota State	35	12-18 (6-12)
8.	North Dakota	22	1-29 (0-18)
9.	St. Thomas	20	3-25 (2-16)
10.	Western Illinois	10	5-24 (4-14)

 
Players to Watch
Note: Players to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches

Lorrin Poulter | Denver | Setter | Senior
Brianna Green | Denver | Middle Blocker | Senior
 
Elizabeth Juhnke | South Dakota | Outside Hitter | Junior
Madison Harms | South Dakota | Middle Blocker | Junior
 
Sami Clarkson | Omaha | Setter | Senior
Jaiden Centeno | Omaha | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Senior
 
Sakira LaCour | Oral Roberts | Middle Blocker | Senior
Trinity Freeman | Oral Roberts | Outside Hitter | Sophomore
 
Crystal Burk | South Dakota State | Outside Hitter | Graduate
Raegan Reilly | South Dakota State | Setter | Sophomore
 
Kennedy Schritenhal | Kansas City | Setter | Senior
Raina Smith | Kansas City | Outside Hitter | Senior
 
Ali Hinze | North Dakota State | Outside Hitter | Junior
Syra Tanchin | North Dakota State | Outside Hitter | Senior
 
Marissa Stockman | North Dakota | Middle Blocker/Right Side | Graduate
Sierra Ward | North Dakota | Outside Hitter | Right Side
 
Lauren Galvin | St. Thomas | Outside Hitter | Sophomore
Ellie Dammann | St. Thomas | Middle Blocker | Junior
 
Karli Wenzel | Western Illinois | Libero | Sophomore
Brittany Wulf | Western Illinois | Outside Hitter | Sophomore