Jacks earn three individual awards after cruising to conference title
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State volleyball has celebrated what could be its best season ever with the announcement of the Summit League postseason awards.
Dan Georgalas has been recognized as the Summit League coach of the year after leading the Jackrabbits to a remarkable 26-1 record and securing the outright regular season conference title. Additionally, SDSU outside hitter Sylvie Zgonc has been honored as player of the year, while Madison Burr has been awarded freshman of the year.
Kamryn Farris from USD has been named defensive player of the year, and Morgan Kealy from St. Thomas has received the accolade for setter of the year.
Georgalas received his first coach of the year award in his fifth year as head coach, becoming the first SDSU coach to achieve this honor since Andrew Palileo in 2007.
Zgonc, who is only the second Jackrabbit to earn the league’s top player distinction, led the Summit League in several categories during the 16-game conference season, including kills per set (4.42), total kills (265), total points (295), and points per set (4.92). The Hartford, Wis. native also ranked among the top five in total attacks with 683.
The Jackrabbit sophomore is the third player in Summit League history to receive freshman of the year honors and then follow it up with Player of the Year accolades in the ensuing season. She is the first to achieve this since Chrissy Knuth at North Dakota State in 2008-2009.
Burr’s achievement marks the second consecutive year that a Jackrabbit has won the freshman of the year title. As a newcomer, she played a key role in the team’s defense, ranking sixth in total blocks (64) and in blocks per set (1.07) within the league. The Goodhue, Minn. native also made a significant offensive impact, recording a hitting percentage of .397 with 121 total kills, earning honorable mention all-League recognition.
Additionally, Sydni Schetnan, a junior from Sioux Falls, received first team all-conference honors. The former Louisville Cardinal averaged 2.42 kills and 1.15 blocks per set.
2024 All-Summit League Volleyball Team
First Team
- Cassie Davis, Denver, OH
- Kaia Dunford, Kansas City, OH
- Kamryn Farris, South Dakota, DS
- Lauren Galvin, St. Thomas, OH
- Ali Hinze, North Dakota State, OH
- Kali Jurgensmeier, Omaha, OH
- Morgan Kealy, St. Thomas, S
- McKenna Ruch, Omaha, MB
- Sydni Schetnan, South Dakota State, MB
- Kylen Sealock, South Dakota, OH
- Megan Wetter, St. Thomas, MB
- Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State, OH
Honorable Mention
- Madison Burr, South Dakota State, MB
- Shayla McCormick, Omaha, OH
- Molly Mirabelli, Denver, MB
- Tezra Rudzitis, St. Thomas, OH/RS
- Avery Van Hook, South Dakota, S
- Ella Voegele, St. Thomas, DS/L
Freshman Team
- Morgan Bode, South Dakota, MB
- Madison Burr, South Dakota State, MB
- Vanessa Imoh, North Dakota, OH/RS
- Jamia Johnson, Denver, OH
- Lauren Medeck, South Dakota, OH
- Anzley Rinard, Oral Roberts, OH
- Addie Schmotzer, St. Thomas, MB
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