BURK, PICKAR RECOGNIZED BY SUMMIT LEAGUE

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota State's Crystal Burk and Tatum Pickar were recognized by the Summit League as Volleyball Players to Watch, announced Wednesday as part of the league's preseason outlook.

Last season, Crystal Burk ranked second on the team in kills (279), kills per set (2.61), digs (299) and digs per set (2.79). Additionally, she was third on the squad with 20 service aces, fourth in assists (27) and fifth in blocks (30). The Newnan, Ga. native registered nine double-doubles, reached 10-plus kills on 12 occasions and logged double digit digs in 16 matches.

Tatum Pickar led the team in digs (420) and digs per set (3.93) a season ago, while ranking third with 72 assists. She ranked fifth in the Summit League in digs per set and sixth in digs. The Cannon Falls, Minn. recorded double figure dig totals in 25 of the 28 matches she played in.

South Dakota State was tabbed eight in the league's preseason coaches' poll, earning 20 points. South Dakota was picked to win the league, Denver was second and the top five finished with Omaha third, and Kansas City fourth and North Dakota State fifth. North Dakota and Oral Roberts sat just ahead of the Jackrabbits in the rankings, with SDSU finishing ahead of Western Illinois in the poll.

Last season, the Jackrabbits finished 6-22 overall and 3-13 in Summit League action. State is under the direction of first year head coach Dan Georgalas.

The Jacks will open their 2021 spring season at Drake on Sunday. First serve is set for 1 p.m. inside the Knapp Center.

Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	School	Points (1^st)
1.	South Dakota	63 (7)
2.	Denver	57 (2)
3.	Omaha	50
4.	Kansas City	41
5.	North Dakota State	37
6.	North Dakota	25
7.	Oral Roberts	23
8.	South Dakota State	20
9.	Western Illinois	8

-GoJacks.com

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Crystal Burk

Tatum Pickar

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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