SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota volleyball's Sierra Pokharel earned her second Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week honor this season after helping the Coyotes to a pair of sweeps last week.

Pokharel headlined a Coyote defense, that ranked No. 1 in the NCAA with a 22.50 digs per set average last week, with a 5.17 digs per set average and 31 total digs. 

In USD's sweep of St. Thomas, the Coyotes set new single-set season highs in each of the first two sets with 28 and 30, respectively. Pokharel was all over the floor in the first set, recording 12 of her 18 digs on the night. She also had five assists and one ace.

Pokharel added 13 digs in the win over Omaha and had four assists. USD held Omaha to a .092 hitting percentage, the third lowest hitting percentage by an opponent this season, including a .000 swing rate in the second set by the Mavericks. 

Though the first two weeks of conference play, Pokharel leads the league with a 4.44 digs per set average and the Yotes pace the league at 20.33 digs per set. 

Pokharel and the Coyotes continue Summit League play this week with two matches at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center starting on Thursday against Oral Roberts at 7 p.m.

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