Smith, Hennen recognized by Summit League

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota State's Ashlynn Smith and Makenzie Hennen were recognized by The Summit League as 2019 Volleyball Players to Watch, announced Wednesday as part of the league's preseason outlook.

Smith started 25 of 29 matches for South Dakota State last season, finishing second on the team in kills (251) and kills per set (2.46). The Laporte, Indiana native recorded a pair of double-doubles and had double-digit in 10 matches.

Hennen, an All-Summit League honorable mention pick in 2018, started all 29 matches and was the team's top all-around threat. She led the Jackrabbits in kills (340), kills per set (3.27) and attempts (1,098) while sitting second in digs (281), service aces (13), digs per set (2.70) and solo blocks (seven). From Jordan, Minnesota, she had two 20-kill matches, 18 10-kill matches and 13 double-doubles.

"Ashlynn and Kenzie will be key to our success this season," head coach Nicole Cirillo said. "Our team continues to grow and compete every day this preseason, and we're ready to take the next step forward and perform at the level we expect."

SDSU's schedule features 11 home matches, including the two-day, Comfort Suites University Jackrabbit Invitational (Sept. 20-21) and a Sept. 29 contest at the Sanford Pentagon for SDSU's annual Pink Game.

Season ticket packages are still available through the Jackrabbit Ticket Office for $40, which includes tickets to regular season home matches and a limited number of Jackrabbit mini volleyballs. Single-game tickets are on sale as well. Visit the Jackrabbit Ticket Office online at JackrabbitTickets.com, over the phone at (605) 688-5422, or in person on the first floor of the Stanley J. Marshall Center.

South Dakota State was tabbed eighth in the league's preseason coaches poll, earning 13 points. Denver was picked to win the league, South Dakota was second and the top five finished with Omaha third, and Purdue Fort Wayne and Oral Roberts tied for fourth. North Dakota and North Dakota State sat just ahead of the Jackrabbits in the rankings, with SDSU finishing ahead of Western Illinois in the poll.

2019 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Poll
Rank	School	Points (1st)	2018 Record (SL)
1	Denver	61 (5)	27-3 (15-0)
2	South Dakota	59 (4)	21-10 (13-3)
3	Omaha	51	17-12 (12-4)
4	Purdue Fort Wayne	35	18-14 (8-8)
	Oral Roberts	35	9-19 (6-10)
6	North Dakota	31	14-18 (6-9)
7	North Dakota State	29	9-10 (6-10)
8	South Dakota State	13	6-23 (3-13)
9	Western Illinois	10	3-26 (2-14)

-GoJacks.com-

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Makenzie Hennen

Ashlynn Smith

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball versus Arizona on December 5, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 3

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball versus No. 3 St. Thomas on November 25, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 3

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball versus No. 4 North Dakota State on November 24, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 0

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball versus North Dakota on November 18, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 0

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball at Kansas City on November 13, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 0

Completed Event: Women's Volleyball at St. Thomas on November 8, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 1

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