VERMILLION, S.D. — South Dakota head volleyball coach Leanne Williamson has announced the addition of Katherine Thompson, a libero/defensive specialist from Marist College to the 2025 roster.
 
The Pewaukee, Wisconsin native spent her first two collegiate years as a Red Fox where she played in 42 matches and 154 sets and totaled 488 digs, 112 assists and 49 aces. In her freshman season as a Red Fox, Thompson tallied 244 digs, 18 aces and 61 assists. As a sophomore, she had 244 digs, 51 assists and 31 aces. Thompson ranked No. 6 in digs per set (3.30), No. 7 in aces per set (.42) and No. 10 in the MAAC in both total digs and total aces during the 2024 season. Thompson had 14 matches during the 2024 season with 10+ digs and reached the 20+ dig mark twice, including a season high 26 against Merrimack on November 9. She set a career-high with 27 digs during her freshman season against Canisius and a career best six aces vs Maryland Eastern Shore on September 1, 2023. Thompson was named to the Academic Honor Roll both years at Marist.

"We are excited to add Katherine to our Coyote Family! We are looking forward to adding her two years as a collegiate libero experience to our deep core of liberos," said Williamson. "Our program prides itself on being a gritty defensive team, and Katherine's skill set, attitude, and competitiveness will be a perfect addition to our group!"
 
Thompson prepped at Arrowhead Union High School where she was a three-year varsity member for the Warhawks. She was named a captain her senior season and was a second team all-conference and all-state honorable mention selection in 2022. Thompson tallied 116 aces as a Warhawk and totaled 310 digs in her senior season while helping her team to a regional final appearance. She was also a Board Member of the National Honors Society and a member of the Spanish National Honors Society. She was named to the 2019 AAU All-Star Team and helped lead her AAU team, the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club, to a AAU National Runner-Up finish.