SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota volleyball will face off against two Big Ten volleyball teams in the inaugural South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic this fall at the Sanford Pentagon. South Dakota, South Dakota State, Minnesota, and Washington will participate in the two-day, four-game event September 18-19 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
 
The Coyotes will face Minnesota in the second match of the day on Friday, September 18, following South Dakota State vs. Minnesota. On Saturday the 19th, South Dakota will square off with Washington, with South Dakota State taking on Minnesota afterwards.
 
Game times, broadcast information, and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
 
"The popularity of college volleyball is at an all-time high and we can't wait to showcase some of the best athletes from the Big Ten and Summit League this fall," said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. "From the AVCA First Serve in 2025 to a Nebraska spring game earlier this month, some of our most popular events at the Sanford Pentagon have centered around college volleyball. We're grateful to the South Dakota Lottery for sponsoring this event and a special thanks to these four schools for committing to play meaningful neutral site games. We know they'll put on a tremendous show."
 
"The South Dakota Lottery is proud to partner with Sanford Sports for the inaugural South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic," said Norm Lingle, South Dakota Lottery Executive Director. "The South Dakota Lottery is all about bringing 'Good Fun' to the state, and these great athletes and programs will do just that."
 
In its Division I tenure, South Dakota has won five Summit League Tournament championships, making five NCAA Tournament appearances. The Coyotes have won 10 or more Summit League matches in each of the last 10 seasons and have 20 or more wins in seven of the last 10 years. USD returns several all-conference performers from the 2025 squad in AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention and First Team All-Summit League selection Lauren Medeck, All-Summit League Second Team honorees Avery Van Hook, Morgan Bode and Amanda Loschen, as well as Summit League All-Freshman Team selection Ava Ball. The Coyotes last played in the Sanford Pentagon in the 2022 season as part of the South Dakota Classic with the Yotes taking a 3-2 win over Northern Colorado. South Dakota is 5-0 all-time in The Pentagon.
 
"We are very excited to partner with Sanford and the Pentagon to host such a high-level volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls," said Leanne Williamson, South Dakota head coach. "We have always had a wonderful experience at the Pentagon and we expect another fantastic experience this fall!"
 
South Dakota State has seen its greatest run of success over the past two seasons, winning the Summit League regular season championship and reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and 2025. Washington has been a perennial contender since the turn of the century, reaching 22 of the last 24 NCAA Tournaments and winning the 2005 NCAA Championship. Minnesota is one of the most storied volleyball programs in the Big Ten, reaching the NCAA Tournament each of the past 11 seasons. The Golden Gophers made their Sanford Pentagon debut last fall, facing Texas A&M in the AVCA First Serve.
 
Minnesota is 4-0 lifetime vs. South Dakota State, including a 3-1 victory last September at the Diet Coke Classic in Minneapolis. The lone matchup between Minnesota and South Dakota took place in the 1st round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, with Minnesota earning a 3-0 sweep.

For Washington, the South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic will represent their first matchups in program history vs. both South Dakota and South Dakota State.
 
About Sanford Sports
Sanford Sports is the modern athletics arm of Sanford Health, the premier rural health system in the United States. Rooted in science and health care, Sanford Sports offers a combination of programs, services, events, facilities and partnerships intended to make active lifestyles accessible and rewarding for people of all ages and abilities. Based on the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sanford Sports has been changing the way athletes play for 25 years. With operations in three states, more than one million athletes use Sanford Sports facilities each year. Visit sanfordsports.com for more information.
 
About South Dakota Lottery

Since its inception in 1987, the South Dakota Lottery has provided nearly $4 billion to improve the quality of life in South Dakota. As a division of the South Dakota Department of Revenue, the Lottery's mission is to remain a viable source of revenue and entertainment for the State of South Dakota. Proceeds from the South Dakota Lottery go the State's General Fund, which supports local K-12 schools, state universities and technical institutes. Lottery revenues also go to the State's Capital Construction Fund, which is used to fund the state's highways, bridges, rural water systems, community drinking water, wastewater improvement projects and more.