SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and St. Thomas aim to maintain their undefeated records in Summit League play this week.
The Jackrabbits are set to host Kansas City on Thursday before welcoming St. Thomas on Saturday for what could be a showdown between two unbeaten conference teams. Before that matchup, the Tommies travel to South Dakota on Thursday. St. Thomas handed South Dakota State its only regular-season conference loss last year, setting the stage for a compelling rematch.
North Dakota State will remain at home, squaring off against Oral Roberts on Thursday and Denver on Saturday.
Statistically, the Tommies are leading the conference in several categories: points per set (18.58), opponent assists per set (9.00), assists per set (13.25), opponent kills per set (9.67), service aces (41), aces per set (3.42), and digs per set (15.25). The Bison top the league in opponent hitting percentage (.143), while the Jackrabbits lead in hitting percentage (.257), blocks per set (2.83), and opponent service aces per set (0.92).
Denver comes off a split week, including a win over reigning tournament champion South Dakota. The Pioneers lead the league in total kills (209), kills per set (13.93), and opponent digs per set (10.40). South Dakota, sitting at 1-2 in conference play, looks to bounce back after a four-set loss to Denver.
Omaha, currently 1-3, is hitting .250 and has been paced statistically by Kali Jurgensmeier. Kansas City improved to 1-3 in league play after a thrilling five-set win over North Dakota. Despite the loss, North Dakota also sits at 1-3, bolstered by standout performer Paige Barber, who leads the Summit in kills per set (4.87), total kills (73), total points (80), and points per set (5.33).
Oral Roberts is still seeking its first conference win. The Golden Eagles head north to face North Dakota State on Thursday and North Dakota on Saturday.
Week three of Summit League action promises to be an exciting one, kicking off with four matches on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on the Summit League Network.
This Week In The Summit League (All Times Local To Site)
Thursday, Oct. 9 | TV/Stream | Local Time
Denver at North Dakota | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
Kansas City at South Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
Oral Roberts at North Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
St. Thomas at South Dakota | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
Saturday, Oct. 11 | TV/Stream
Denver at North Dakota State | SLN | 11 a.m. CT
South Dakota at Omaha | SLN | 12 p.m. CT
Oral Roberts at North Dakota | SLN | 1 p.m. CT
St. Thomas at South Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
Key: SLN (Summit League Network)
Around The League
• South Dakota State is part of a three-way tie at the top of the league standings after a 2-0 week that saw the Jacks post road victories at Denver and Oral Roberts.
• The Jacks hit .369 for the match against ORU, marking the best single-match hitting percentage for the team since the early 2023 season.
• St. Thomas freshman Anya Schmidt helped the Tommies match SDSU’s 3-0 start by tying a Summit League four-set record with 10 service aces in win over Oral Roberts. The Tommie rookie ranks third in the NCAA with 0.75 service aces per set.
• North Dakota State rounds out the trio of 3-0 league-leaders as the Bison won their first three Summit matches for the second time in the last four seasons. NDSU has defeated North Dakota, Omaha, and Kansas City to open 2025 conference play.
• Denver outside hitter Ava Reynolds recorded a career-high 20 kills in the Pioneers’ four-set loss to South Dakota State.
• South Dakota sophomore Morgan Bode established a program record with 13 blocks in four sets against Denver.
• Omaha’s Emily Huss leads the league with 70 total blocks and 1.49 blocks per set. The Maverick junior currently ranks 16th in the NCAA in 1.49 blocks per set.
• North Dakota’s Paige Barber set a UND record against Kansas City with 26 kills in a five-set match. With 23 digs in the same match, she recorded the first 20/20 performance at UND since 2019.
• Kansas City’s Emry Brown tallied her first career double-double with 19 kills and 17 digs to help lead the Roos to their first conference win of the season in five sets over UND.
• ORU’s Cortnee Smith notched a career-high 17 kills and held a .419 hitting clip in a four-set loss to St. Thomas.
Results
Thursday, Sept. 25
South Dakota State 3, Omaha 2
Denver 3, Oral Roberts 0
St. Thomas 3, Kansas City 1
North Dakota 3, South Dakota 1
Saturday, Sept. 27
St. Thomas 3, Omaha 1
South Dakota 3, Oral Roberts 0
Denver 3, Kansas City 1
North Dakota State 3, North Dakota 0
Thursday, Oct. 2
Omaha 3, North Dakota 2
North Dakota State 3, Kansas City 2
South Dakota State 3, Denver 1
St. Thomas 3, Oral Roberts 1
Saturday, Oct. 4
South Dakota State 3, Oral Roberts 0
Kansas City 3, North Dakota 2
Denver 3, South Dakota 1
North Dakota State 3, Omaha 1
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