SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota outside hitter Lauren Medeck and defensive specialist/libero Sierra Pokharel swept the Summit League Volleyball Peak Performer of the Week awards, league officials announced Tuesday. Medeck claimed her third career offensive honor, while Pokharel secured her third defensive accolade of the season.
Medeck powered the Coyote offense with 39 kills and 24 digs while hitting .383 across two matches during the third week of conference play. The Papillion, Neb., native kicked off the week with 19 kills, six digs and a .455 hitting percentage against Oral Roberts.
The USD junior followed with a match-high 20 kills and added 18 digs while hitting .333 in South Dakota’s four-set victory over Kansas City. Medeck averaged 5.57 kills per set to rank ninth nationally last week, while the Coyotes ranked 12th among NCAA Division I teams with 15.86 kills per set.
Pokharel anchored the South Dakota defense, recording 38 digs for an average of 5.43 per set across the two-match stretch. The Omaha, Neb., native opened the week with 12 digs and a service ace against Oral Roberts before delivering a standout performance against Kansas City.
The Coyote sophomore tallied 26 digs, seven assists and three service aces in the four-set win over the Roos, marking her highest dig total in a four-set match this season. South Dakota also turned in a season-best defensive effort in the match, collecting 87 digs for its highest total in a four-set contest this season.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
Jr. | OH | Papillion, Neb.
- Recorded 39 kills and 5.57 kills per set
- Tallied 19 kills and a .455 hitting percentage against Oral Roberts
- Garnered 20 kills and 18 digs against Kansas City
- Collected her third career offensive weekly award
Also nominated: Ryanne Wattree (Kansas City), Lauren Jansen (North Dakota State), Madison Corf (Omaha), Sylvie Zgonc (South Dakota State), Anya Schmidt (St. Thomas)
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sierra Pokharel, South Dakota
So. | DS/L | Omaha, Neb.
- Averaged 5.43 digs per set in a two-game stretch
- Posted 12 digs and a service ace in a winning matchup against Oral Roberts
- Garnered 26 digs and three service aces against Kansas City
- Claimed her third defensive peak performer honor of the season
Also nominated: Mila Zoric (Kansas City), Rya Borer (North Dakota State), Joslyn Richardson (South Dakota State)
2026 Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week
September 1
O: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
D: Chloe Kaminski, Kansas City
September 8
O: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
D: Sierra Pokharel, South Dakota
September 15
O: Ella Rogers, South Dakota
D: Lilliana Montes, North Dakota
September 22
O: Anya Schmidt, St. Thomas
D: Arianna Blohm, North Dakota State
September 29
O: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
D: Dara Obeid, Omaha
October 6
O: Ryanne Wattree, Kansas City
D: Sierra Pokharel, South Dakota
October 13
O: Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
D: Sierra Pokharel, South Dakota
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