South Dakota volleyball will compete against two Big Ten teams in the inaugural South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic at the Sanford Pentagon, according to an April 29 announcement. The event is scheduled for September 18-19 and will feature South Dakota, South Dakota State, Minnesota, and Washington.
The tournament highlights the growing popularity of college volleyball and brings together notable programs from both the Summit League and Big Ten. Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports, said, “The popularity of college volleyball is at an all-time high and we can’t wait to showcase some of the best athletes from the Big Ten and Summit League this fall.” Smith also thanked sponsors and participating schools for supporting meaningful neutral site games.
On Friday, September 18, South Dakota will play Minnesota after a match between South Dakota State and Minnesota. The following day, South Dakota faces Washington before another game between South Dakota State and Minnesota. Game times, broadcast details, and ticket information will be released later.
Norm Lingle, executive director of the South Dakota Lottery said: “The South Dakota Lottery is proud to partner with Sanford Sports for the inaugural South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic. The South Dakota Lottery is all about bringing ‘Good Fun’ to the state, and these great athletes and programs will do just that.”
Leanne Williamson, head coach for South Dakota volleyball said: “We are very excited to partner with Sanford and the Pentagon to host such a high-level volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls. We have always had a wonderful experience at the Pentagon and we expect another fantastic experience this fall!”
In recent years, both local teams have seen success in their conferences. The Coyotes have won five Summit League Tournament championships during their Division I tenure while making five NCAA Tournament appearances; they return several all-conference performers from last season’s squad. Meanwhile, Washington has qualified for 22 out of the last 24 NCAA Tournaments since winning a national title in 2005; Minnesota has reached every NCAA Tournament over eleven seasons.
This event marks new matchups for Washington against both local teams while continuing established rivalries among others. Organizers say it reflects ongoing efforts by sponsors like Sanford Sports—part of Sanford Health—and state partners like the lottery division to support athletic events that benefit communities.
