SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kansas City right-side/outside hitter Ryanne Wattree and South Dakota defensive specialist/libero Sierra Pokharel were named the Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday. Wattree earned her first career offensive honor, while Pokharel collected her second defensive award of the season.
Wattree recorded 38 kills and seven digs while hitting .325 during the second week of conference play. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native opened the week with 17 kills, four digs and a .370 hitting percentage against North Dakota.
The KC junior followed with 21 kills, four blocks and a .300 hitting percentage in Kansas City’s five-set victory over North Dakota State.
Pokharel totaled 31 digs and averaged 5.17 digs per set during South Dakota’s second weekend of conference play. The Omaha, Nebraska, native opened the week with 18 digs and five assists against St. Thomas.
The USD sophomore followed with 13 digs and four assists in a three-set victory over Omaha. As a team, South Dakota ranked first in the NCAA in digs per set from Sept. 28-Oct. 4, averaging 22.5. Pokharel paced the Coyotes with her 5.17 digs-per-set average, which ranked 33rd nationally.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ryanne Wattree, Kansas City
Jr. | RS/OH | Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- Recorded 38 kills and 4.75 kills per set
- Tallied 17 kills and a .370 hitting percentage against North Dakota
- Garnered 21 kills and four blocks against North Dakota State
- Collected her first career offensive weekly award
Also nominated: Zoe John (North Dakota State), Lara Maric (Omaha), Morgan Bode (South Dakota), 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 5.17 digs per set in a two-game stretch
- Posted 18 digs and five assists in a winning matchup against St. Thomas
- Garnered 13 digs and four assists against Omaha
- Claimed her second career defensive peak performer of the week accolade
Also nominated: Mila Zoric (Kansas City), Arianna Blohm (North Dakota State), Dara Obeid (Omaha), Taylor Byl (South Dakota State), Addie Schmotzer (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
#SummitVB
