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South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: SDSU Sports Information
JACKS PICKED SEVENTH FOR SUMMIT VOLLEYBALL
8/25/2021 10:59:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SIOUX FALLS — The South Dakota State University volleyball team has been picked to finish seventh in the upcoming Summit League race, according to a preseason poll conducted among the league's 10 head coaches that was announced Wednesday.
The Jackrabbits are coming off a 2020-21 season in which they posted a 6-11 overall record, including a 6-10 mark in Summit League play, under first-year head coach Dan Georgalas.
Defending league tournament champion South Dakota claimed the top spot in the poll with six first-place votes and 78 points, edging 2020-21 regular season champion Denver with 76 points and the other four first-place votes. Omaha (62 points), Kansas City (60) and North Dakota State (49) completed the top five.
Oral Roberts clipped the Jackrabbits for the sixth spot in the poll with 36 points compared to SDSU's 35. North Dakota (23 points), league newcomer St. Thomas (18) and Western Illinois (13) rounded out the rankings.
In addition, seniors Crystal Burk and Tatum Pickar were nominated as Summit League Players to Watch. An outside hitter from Newnan, Georgia, Burk tallied a team-high 213 kills, averaging 3.8 kills per set, and also ranked second on the squad with 188 digs.
Pickar has handled the libero duties for the past two seasons and led the squad in digs both season, including 303 during the 2020-21 campaign. The Cannon Falls, Minnesota, native ranked second in The Summit League with an average of 5.32 assists per set.
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to open the 2021 season this weekend with three matches at the North Texas Invitational in Denton, Texas. SDSU is slated to play Grambling at 1 p.m. Friday, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup against host North Texas. The Jackrabbits conclude the opening tournament Saturday with an 11 a.m. matchup versus McNeese State.
Summit League play begins Sept. 24 at South Dakota.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
The Jackrabbits are coming off a 2020-21 season in which they posted a 6-11 overall record, including a 6-10 mark in Summit League play, under first-year head coach Dan Georgalas.
Defending league tournament champion South Dakota claimed the top spot in the poll with six first-place votes and 78 points, edging 2020-21 regular season champion Denver with 76 points and the other four first-place votes. Omaha (62 points), Kansas City (60) and North Dakota State (49) completed the top five.
Oral Roberts clipped the Jackrabbits for the sixth spot in the poll with 36 points compared to SDSU's 35. North Dakota (23 points), league newcomer St. Thomas (18) and Western Illinois (13) rounded out the rankings.
In addition, seniors Crystal Burk and Tatum Pickar were nominated as Summit League Players to Watch. An outside hitter from Newnan, Georgia, Burk tallied a team-high 213 kills, averaging 3.8 kills per set, and also ranked second on the squad with 188 digs.
Pickar has handled the libero duties for the past two seasons and led the squad in digs both season, including 303 during the 2020-21 campaign. The Cannon Falls, Minnesota, native ranked second in The Summit League with an average of 5.32 assists per set.
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to open the 2021 season this weekend with three matches at the North Texas Invitational in Denton, Texas. SDSU is slated to play Grambling at 1 p.m. Friday, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup against host North Texas. The Jackrabbits conclude the opening tournament Saturday with an 11 a.m. matchup versus McNeese State.
Summit League play begins Sept. 24 at South Dakota.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
| Pl. | School | Pts. |
| 1. | South Dakota (6) | 78 |
| 2. | Denver (4) | 76 |
| 3. | Omaha | 62 |
| 4. | Kansas City | 60 |
| 5. | North Dakota State | 49 |
| 6. | Oral Roberts | 36 |
| 7. | South Dakota State | 35 |
| 8. | North Dakota | 23 |
| 9. | St. Thomas | 18 |
| 10. | Western Illinois | 13 |
Players Mentioned
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