SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Just like that, Summit League play is here. The opening weekend of conference action features six exciting matchups, all streaming live on the Summit League Network.
North Dakota welcomes Omaha and St. Thomas to Grand Forks, while North Dakota State hosts St. Thomas and Omaha in Fargo. South Dakota State and South Dakota square off Friday evening in Vermillion, while Oral Roberts travels north to take on Kansas City.
North Dakota State enters conference play atop the standings with an impressive 8-2 record. South Dakota (7-4) and Omaha (6-4) follow closely behind, while North Dakota and Oral Roberts are tied for fourth at 6-5.
Kansas City sits sixth at 6-6 after a strong start to the season. South Dakota State, which went undefeated in league play last season, currently sits seventh at 4-7, while St. Thomas (2-7) rounds out the standings.
With all eight teams set to begin conference play, the race for the Summit League title officially gets underway this weekend.
This Week In The Summit League (All Times Local To Site)
Thursday, Sept. 24 | TV/Stream
Omaha at North Dakota | SLN | 6:30 p.m. CT
St. Thomas at North Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m. CT
Friday, Sept. 25 | TV/Stream
South Dakota State at South Dakota| SLN | 7p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 26 | TV/Stream
St. Thomas at North Dakota | SLN | 1 p.m. CT
Oral Roberts at Kansas City | SLN | 1p.m. CT
Omaha at North Dakota State | SLN | 1 p.m. CT
Key: SLN (Summit League Network)
Results
Thursday, Sept. 17
North Dakota State 3, Montana 1
Missouri State 3, Kansas City 0
Friday, Sept. 18
North Dakota 3, Lamar 1
Western Michigan 3, St. Thomas 2
Washington 3, South Dakota State 0
Sam Houston 3, North Dakota 1
Oral Roberts 3, Grambling State 1
Kansas City 3, Saint Louis 0
(14) Minnesota 3, South Dakota 1
North Dakota State 3, Gonzaga 0
Saturday, Sept. 19
North Dakota 3, UL-Monroe 1
SEMO 3, Kansas City 0
Washington 3, South Dakota 0
North Dakota State 3, Seattle 0
Marquette 3, St. Thomas 2
(14) Minnesota 3, South Dakota State 1
Kansas State 3, Omaha 1
Around The League
• The Summit League posted a 45-40 record (.529) in nonconference play, heading into the start of conference action this week.
• North Dakota State sits atop the league standings at 8-2 and enters conference play riding a four-match winning streak.
•The Bison went undefeated at the Zags Volleyball Classic, with Arianna Blohm, Rya Borer and Sarah Pfiffner earning All-Tournament Team honors.
• South Dakota’s defense has been stout throughout nonconference play, with the Coyotes leading the league with 16.58 digs per set while ranking second with 138 total blocks.
•USD’s duo of Avery Van Hook and Sierra Pokharel have combined for 274 digs during nonconference play, ranking second and third, respectively, in the league in digs per set.
• Omaha freshman Dara Obeid reached 100 career kills against Kansas State. The Mavericks enter conference play having won four of their last five matches.
• Kansas City junior Ryanne Wattree recorded her 400th career kill during the Roos’ 3-0 victory over Saint Louis. Wattree ranked second in the league with 161 kills during nonconference play.
• Oral Roberts freshman Ciara Cunningham leads all Summit League freshmen with 131 kills during nonconference play.
• The Fighting Hawks picked up two victories at the final nonconference tournament of the season, while Reagan McIntosh, Lauren Perugini and Lilliana Montes earned Lamar Invitational All-Tournament Team honors.
•UND has been formidable at the service line, leading the league with 84 service aces while averaging 1.91 aces per set.
• South Dakota State’s Sylvie Zgonc reached 1,500 career kills against No. 14 Minnesota, becoming the sixth Jackrabbit in program history to reach the milestone.
• UST’ Anya Schmidt set single-match program records for kills and points, recording 25 kills and 29 points in a five-set match against Western Michigan.
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