SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –  South Dakota volleyball was picked to finish No. 2 in the Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office Wednesday morning. Senior setter Avery Van Hook and junior outside hitter Lauren Medeck were tabbed as players to watch for the Coyotes. 

The Coyotes received 41 total votes, with one first place vote, and were tied with St. Thomas who also received 41 votes and one first place vote. South Dakota State was picked as the preseason favorite with 47 points and six first place votes. North Dakota State rounds out the top-four with 29 votes. 

The Yotes finished the 2025 season with a 20-9 record and finished second in the Summit League regular season standings with a 12-4 conference mark. USD fell in the 2025 Summit League Tournament Semifinals to eventual champions, St. Thomas.

The Coyotes return plenty of production from last year's squad with 92.3% of points, 93.8% of kills and 97.8% of blocks from 2025. While the Coyotes graduated back-to-back Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, Kamryn Farris, the team returns four All-Summit League selections in Medeck who received a first team nod, alongside Van Hook, Morgan Bode and Amanda Loschen who were second team selections. Ava Ball also earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team. 

South Dakota opens the 2026 season with at the Drake Invitational and will face Drake, Milwaukee and DePaul this weekend starting on Friday against the Bulldogs.
2026 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	School	Points (1st)	2025 Record (SL)
1.	South Dakota State	47(6)	23-5 (16-0)
T2.	South Dakota	41(1)	20-9 (12-4)
T2.	St. Thomas	41(1)	21-10 (11-5)
4.	North Dakota State	29	17-11 (10-6)
5.	Omaha	27	10-16 (7-9)
6.	North Dakota	16	7-20 (4-12)
7.	Kansas City	14	3-26 (2-14)
8.	Oral Roberts	9	3-25 (1-15)

 

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