6 Teams to Watch in Southeastern South Dakota
Although it’s an under-populated state, South Dakota is packed with volleyball talent, especially on the eastern side of the state. Teams from Sioux Falls down to Sioux City dominate at both the high school and club level, producing talented and…
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Continue ReadingAlthough it’s an under-populated state, South Dakota is packed with volleyball talent, especially on the eastern side of the state. Teams from Sioux Falls down to Sioux City dominate at both the high school and club level, producing talented and successful athletes who go on to compete at the collegiate level. Here is a look at the South Dakota volleyball programs and athletes to watch this season.
Dakota Valley
Part of the Dakota XII Conference, the Panthers have a tradition for success. Currently, Dakota Valley is on a six-year state run with two of those times having captured the Class A State Title. Coached by Amy Wiseman, Dakota Valley looks to continue their state run after losing several senior starters from last season.
Ally Beresford is one of the returning starters of last year’s Class A State runner-up squad. The setter will be entering her junior season this year where her experience will be used to lead the Panther’s lethal offense. Beresford, who made her verbal commitment to the University of Sioux Falls, tallied 984 assists and 10.6 assists per set in 2017.
Harrisburg
Class AA school, Harrisburg, has produced several phenomenal athletes throughout the last few years including Sami Slaughter, a sophomore for the Husker Volleyball team, and Carlie Fikse, who will be joining the Wyoming Volleyball program this fall. Coached by Ronette Costain, the Tigers repeated as Class AA State Champions last season with the hopes to continue the legacy this fall.
Brooklyn Bollweg will be a senior this fall for the Harrisburg Tigers. The defensive specialist was tabbed as an Honorable Mention on PrepVolleyball’s Defensive Dandies national list this club season. Bollweg, a University of South Dakota volleyball commit, will enter her senior season with 408 career digs.
Sioux Falls Christian
2017 Class A State Champions return several familiar faces to their roster this season, making the Chargers the dominate team to beat this fall. Coached by Darci Wassenaar, Sioux Falls Christian is a powerhouse team in the Dakota XII Conference, capturing the conference title last season.
Kylee Van Egdon will be a senior this fall, recently making her verbal commitment to Northern State University. The 5’9” outside hitter will be a stat leader this season as a lethal six-rotation player.
Samantha Fykstra, setter, will lead the Chargers’ offense again this year. The uncommitted 5’8” senior averaged 10.7 assists per set last season.
Sioux Falls O’Gorman
The Knights won the Metro Athletic Conference in 2017 with a 3-1 record and also captured a Class AA state tournament berth, where they finished 8th. Coached by Emily McCourt, the Lady Knights will be returning several familiar faces.
Courtney Baruth was tabbed as a member of 1st Team All-Conference last season. Uncommitted, Baruth enters her senior season with an impressive 396 career kills, 273 career blocks, and 274 career digs.
Emma Ronsiek was the youngest member of the All-State team last season as a sophomore and was also a 1st Team All-Conference selection. The uncommitted 6’1” junior lead her team in kills last season with 300 and totaled 52 blocks.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt
The Rough Riders, coached by Kevin Vanderwal, took 2nd place in the Metro Athletic Conference last season with a 3-1 record.
Tatum Kooima earned a 1st Team All-Conference selection last year as a sophomore. The soon to be junior libero has an impressive 980 career digs in her two years as a varsity athlete and will lead the backrow as an upper-classman this season.
Sioux Falls Washington
The Warriors are also a member of the Metro Athletic Conference, making it to the Class AA state tournament and capturing 3rd place with a victory over Watertown. Coached by Kelly Schroeder.
Lily Bartling is the player to watch for the Warriors. The uncommitted outside lead the team in kills last season with 299 and was second in digs with 331, earning herself 1st team All-Conference recognition. Bartling, a senior, is the go-to player to force a side-out or start a run for the Warriors.