VERMILLION, S.D – The South Dakota women's Swim and Dive program begins its 2026-27 campaign with a road dual with Minnesota State University in Mankato on Friday afternoon. The meet is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
 
The Yotes, who were tabbed by the Summit League as the preseason favorites to win the conference, return to action after finishing second in the Summit League Championships last season.
 
The meet will be broadcast on Midco Sports Plus ($) with coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. 
 
THE OPPONENT
Picked 15th nationally on the women's side in the preseason in the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Preseason Poll, Minnesota State enters the 2026-27 campaign with hopes of competing for a conference title. 
 
Last season, the Mavericks finished first at the NSIC Championships to secure their fourth conference title in program history and were picked to finish first again this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
South Dakota leads the series 10-2 with the most recent victory coming in last season's opener in Vermillion.
 
The Yotes won the last match up 218.5-81.5 on October 3, 2026 in the USD Natatorium.
 
South Dakota is 4-2 all time in Mankato with victories in four of their last five meets with Minnesota State. The last time the Mavericks took a meet against USD was back in the opener of the 2019 season with a narrow 151.5-148.5 victory over the Coyotes.
 
YOTES PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Junior free Emily DiProspero and sophomore diver Anna Williams represent USD on the women's side in the preseason Summit League honors as "Players to Watch" ahead of the 2026-27 season.
 
DiProspero earned postseason honors last year, placing third in the 200-yard freestyle, second in the 500-yard freestyle and first in the 1650-yard freestyle.
 
Williams earned her postseason honors with a second-place finish in the team diving event.