SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota volleyball swept this week's Summit League Peak Performer of the Week honors with Lauren Medeck being named the offensive peak performer and Sierra Pokharel earning her second straight and third defensive honor this season. 

Medeck paved the way offensively with 39 total kills and 5.57 kills per set average, which ranked No. 9 in the country last week, while boasting a .383 hitting percentage. She posted a season-high .455 swing rate in the Coyotes sweep of Oral Roberts on Thursday with 19 kills, her most kills in a three-set match this season. As a team, the Yotes hit a season-best .420 against the Golden Eagles. Medeck posted her eighth double-double of the season in Saturday's win over Kansas City with 20 kills and 18 digs while hitting at a .333 clip. Medeck led all Summit League players with a 5.86 points per set mark last week. 

For the second straight week, Pokharel averaged over 5.0 digs per set and had 38 total for a 5.43 digs/set average. She extended her double-digit dig streak to five with 12 digs against Oral Roberts and 26 vs Kansas City Saturday. She also had seven assists and three aces against the Roos and the 26 digs is her second highest dig count this season (32 vs UNI, 9/5/26). 

Pokharel is the first Summit League player to be named the defensive peak performer of the week in back-to-back weeks this season, and the first since Kamryn Farris was honored in three consecutive weeks in 2025. 

Led by Medeck and Pokharel, the Coyotes as a team ranked No. 12 in the NCAA last week with a 15.86 kills per set average and No. 25 in digs per set at 18.29. 

Medeck earned her first Summit League weekly honor of the season and the third of her career, while Pokharel earned her third career weekly honor. 
 

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