SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – St. Thomas outside hitter Anya Schmidt and South Dakota State middle blocker Taylor Byl earned Summit League Volleyball Peak Performer of the Week honors, league officials announced Tuesday. Schmidt collected her second career Offensive Peak Performer award, while Byl claimed her second consecutive Defensive Peak Performer honor.
Schmidt powered the Tommie offense with 37 kills and 25 digs while hitting .313 in matches against North Dakota and North Dakota State. The Rogers, Minn., native opened the week with 11 kills, 12 digs, four service aces and a .421 hitting percentage against North Dakota.
The St. Thomas sophomore followed with a career-high 26 kills and 13 digs, adding two blocks in the Tommies’ five-set reverse-sweep victory over North Dakota State.
Byl anchored the South Dakota State defense, recording a career-high 11 blocks for an average of 2.20 blocks per set. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native finished one block shy of the Jackrabbit record for total blocks.
The redshirt sophomore also contributed four kills and four digs in a five-set thriller against South Dakota.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Anya Schmidt, St. Thomas
So. | OH | Rogers, Minn.
- Recorded 37 kills and 25 digs across two matches
- Tallied 11 kills and a .412 hitting percentage against North Dakota
- Garnered 26 kills and 13 digs against North Dakota State
- Collected her second career offensive weekly award
Also nominated: Mia Weaver (Kansas City), Lauren Jansen (North Dakota State), Madison Corf (Omaha), Lauren Medeck (South Dakota), Sylvie Zgonc (South Dakota State)
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Taylor Byl, South Dakota State
R-So. | MB | Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Averaged 2.20 blocks per set against South Dakota
- Posted 11 blocks and four kills against South Dakota
- Fell one block shy of South Dakota State’s single-match blocks record.
- Claimed her second consecutive defensive peak performer honor of the season
Also nominated: Chloe Kaminski (Kansas City), Rya Borer (North Dakota State), Lauren Medeck (South Dakota), Reilly Kurth (St. Thomas)
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
October 20
O: Morgan Bode, South Dakota
D: Taylor Byl, South Dakota State
October 27
O: Anya Schmidt, St. Thomas
D: Taylor Byl, South Dakota State
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