ELMHUST, Ill.—South Dakota senior Brittany Jessen and sophomore Elizabeth Loschen were named Players to Watch in conjunction with the Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Thursday. The Coyotes were the lone team with two players named to the watch list.
 
South Dakota, which won its first Summit League regular season title last year, was picked to finish second in the league behind co-champion Denver. South Dakota received three of the eight first-place votes and tallied 45 points. Denver picked up the other five first-place votes and totaled 47 points. Oral Roberts was picked third with 35 points.

"We are excited to see the poll come out, as it means the season is just around the corner," head coach Leanne Williamson said. "As always, we aren't too caught up in polls as they are usually a reflection of what the team accomplished last year. Our team is continuing to work to improve everyday to be prepared to take on a competitive Wyoming team next Friday."
 
Jessen, a native of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, is a two-time Summit League Setter of the Year who stands with the third-most assists in program history with 3,743. The two-time All-Summit League performer is currently ranked 12^th in the league for assists per set with 10.85 and led the team in assists last season with 1,206.
 
Loschen, who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, the reigning Summit League Freshman of the Year was second on the team in kills with 252 and in solo blocks with five.

"Brittany and Elizabeth will be a couple of our key players this fall," Williamson said. "Britt has been a staple of our team the last three years, and we will look to her to help lead our team this fall. Elizabeth had a great freshman year and worked hard in the offseason to continue to expand her game."
 
Jessen and Loschen helped the 2016 team to a second-place finish in the Summit League Tournament and its most successful season since moving to Division I in 2008. The team finished with a tell record…most wins in program history
 
The Coyotes head into the weekend with their annual Red and White scrimmage at 6 p.m. on Saturday, in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. South Dakota will open up its regular season in Laramie, Wyoming, at the Rumble in the Rockies Tournament Aug. 25-26.

2017 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank   School                         Points (1st)                  2016 Record (League Play)
1.         Denver                        47 (5)                           23-9 (13-3)
2.         South Dakota              45 (3)                           25-7 (13-3)
3.         Oral Roberts               35                                17-15 (8-8)
4.         Fort Wayne                33                                13-18 (9-7)
T5.       Omaha                       22                                8-22 (5-11)
T5.       North Dakota State      22                                14-18 (11-5)
7.         South Dakota State     12                                5-23 (4-12)
8.         Western Illinois            8                                  4-28 (1-15)