SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State outside hitter Sylvie Zgonc and South Dakota defensive specialist/libero Sierra Pokharel were named the Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday. Zgonc earned her seventh career offensive honor, while Pokharel claimed her first defensive award.
Zgonc totaled 77 kills, 34 digs and averaged 5.92 kills per set during the Jackrabbits’ second weekend of the season. The Hartford, Wis., native opened the weekend with 12 kills and three digs against top-ranked Nebraska.
The SDSU senior followed with 20 kills and a .571 hitting percentage in a three-set victory over Western Illinois. She then posted 25 kills, 11 digs and a .457 attack percentage against Northern Arizona before closing the weekend with 20 kills, 12 digs and a .421 hitting percentage in a three-set match against Bradley.
Through two weeks of play, Zgonc leads all NCAA Division I players with 144.0 points and 131 total kills. She also ranks third nationally in kills per set, averaging 5.04.
Pokharel totaled 57 digs and averaged 4.75 digs per set during the Coyotes’ second weekend of the season at the South Dakota Classic. The Omaha, Neb., native opened the weekend with 12 digs and two assists against Utah Valley.
The USD sophomore followed with 13 digs and six assists in a four-set match against Air Force before closing the weekend with a career-high 32 digs and 11 assists in a five-set match against Northern Iowa. The performance marked the first double-double of her career.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
Sr. | OH | Hartford, Wis.
- Recorded 77 total kills and 5.92 kills per set across four matches for the Jackrabbits
- Tallied 12 kills against Nebraska before adding 20 kills and a .571 hitting percentage against Western Illinois
- Notched 25 kills and 11 digs against Northern Arizona and added 20 kills, and a .421 hitting clip against Bradley
- Collected the seventh offensive weekly award of her career
Also nominated: Ryanne Wattree (Kansas City), Elle McIntosh (North Dakota), Arianna Blohm (North Dakota State), Lara Maric (Omaha), Cortnee Smith (Oral Roberts), Lauren Medeck (South Dakota), Morgan Kealy (St. Thomas)
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sierra Pokharel, South Dakota
So. | DS/L | Omaha, Neb.
- Averaged 4.75 digs per set in a three-game stretch at the South Dakota Classic
- Posted 12 digs and two assists in a winning matchup against Utah Valley
- Garnered 13 digs and six assists against Air Force while also contributing 32 digs and11 assists against Northern Iowa
- Claimed her first career defensive peak performer of the week accolade
Also nominated: Emry Brown (Kansas City), Olivia Edlund (North Dakota), Rya Borer (North Dakota State), Dara Obeid (Omaha), Ana Appel (Oral Roberts), Joslyn Richardson (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
#SummitVB
