Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus St. Cloud State (Exhibition) on October 28, 2026 at 7 p.m.
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7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs St. Cloud State (Exhibition)
South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Evan Patzwald
SDSU PICKED 2ND, 3 JACKS RECOGNIZED IN PRESEASON POLL
10/6/2026 3:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota State women's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Summit League regular season and three Jackrabbits were named to the preseason teams, as released by the conference office Tuesday.
SDSU finished second in the regular season in 2025-26 before winning a fourth consecutive tournament title. The Jackrabbits received 429 points and eight first-place votes in the poll.
Jackrabbit returners Emilee Fox, Hadley Thul and Katie Vasecka were all named to the Preseason All-League Second Team.
Fox was an All-Summit honorable mention last season. She started all 27 of her appearances as a sophomore and averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Jacks. Fox was the No. 1 3-point shooter in the nation a season ago with a .491 mark from deep.
Thul returns for her sophomore season following an all-freshman team nod in 2025-26. She played in 33 games with 11 starts last season, averaging 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting .481 while in the starting lineup for the Jacks.
Vasecka battled injuries in 2025-26, but played in 20 games and averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest. She is the Jackrabbits' top returning scorer and was also an all-freshman team selection in 2024-25.
North Dakota State was tabbed to repeat as the Summit League's regular season champions. The Bison's Avery Koenen was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. The voting panel included the League's eight head coaches, sports information directors, and select media members.
-GoJacks.com-
SDSU finished second in the regular season in 2025-26 before winning a fourth consecutive tournament title. The Jackrabbits received 429 points and eight first-place votes in the poll.
Jackrabbit returners Emilee Fox, Hadley Thul and Katie Vasecka were all named to the Preseason All-League Second Team.
Fox was an All-Summit honorable mention last season. She started all 27 of her appearances as a sophomore and averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Jacks. Fox was the No. 1 3-point shooter in the nation a season ago with a .491 mark from deep.
Thul returns for her sophomore season following an all-freshman team nod in 2025-26. She played in 33 games with 11 starts last season, averaging 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting .481 while in the starting lineup for the Jacks.
Vasecka battled injuries in 2025-26, but played in 20 games and averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest. She is the Jackrabbits' top returning scorer and was also an all-freshman team selection in 2024-25.
North Dakota State was tabbed to repeat as the Summit League's regular season champions. The Bison's Avery Koenen was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. The voting panel included the League's eight head coaches, sports information directors, and select media members.
2026-27 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State*
2026-27 Preseason All-Summit League First Team
Elauni Bennett, Kansas City, Sr., G (10.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg)#
Marisa Frost, North Dakota State, Jr. G (13.2 ppg, 2.5 apg)#
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State, Jr., F (19.8 ppg, 11.9 rpg)#
Molly Joyce, South Dakota, Sr., G (15.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg)#
Alyssa Sand, St. Thomas, Jr. F (14.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg)#
Jocelyn Schiller, North Dakota State, Jr., G (11.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.9 apg)#
2026-27 Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
Karrington Asp, North Dakota State, So., F (10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg)#
Emani Bennett, Kansas City, Sr., G (12.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)#
Emilee Fox, South Dakota State, Jr. G (9.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg )#
Hadley Thul, South Dakota State, So., G (6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg)#
Katie Vasecka, South Dakota State, Jr., G (8.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg)#
#Stats from 2025-26 Summit League games
*Preseason player of the year automatically earns a spot on the first team
2026-27 Summit League Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
|
Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
2024-25 Record (SL) |
|
1. |
North Dakota State |
456(24) |
29-5 (15-1) |
|
2. |
South Dakota State |
429 (8) |
27-7 (14-2) |
|
3. |
South Dakota |
359 |
26-10 (12-4) |
|
4. |
St. Thomas |
283 |
16-16 (8-8) |
|
5. |
Oral Roberts |
253 |
15-15 (8-8) |
|
6. |
Kansas City |
212 |
7-23 (4-12) |
|
7. |
Omaha |
151 |
6-27 (3-13) |
|
8. |
North Dakota |
121 |
7-24 (3-13) |
-GoJacks.com-
Players Mentioned
Saturday, March 21
Friday, March 20
Monday, March 09
Monday, March 09