Fall Lookahead: Football, Volleyball Set Sights on Titles

     The Sanford Coyote Sports Center and the DakotaDome are quieting down as seasons wind to a close, but come August, both will be back in action as the South Dakota football and volleyball teams look to build on their 2024 campaigns.

     It was a record-breaking season for the South Dakota football team, which finished 11-3 overall, the best season in program history at the NCAA Division I FCS level. The Coyotes made their first FCS semifinal appearance and earned their second win against an FCS No. 1-ranked team, defeating North Dakota State 29-28 in the DakotaDome.

     Following the season, head coach Bob Nielson announced his retirement after nine seasons with South Dakota and 32 seasons as a head coach overall. That same day, USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel announced that associate head coach and defensive coordinator Travis Johanssen would become the 31st head coach in program history.

     Since being named head coach on Jan. 16, 2025, Johanssen has made eight staff additions, including four hires from outside the program. As the NCAA spring transfer portal window opened, several players from the Coyotes team entered the portal, including Joe Cotton, Bryce Henderson, Mi’Quise Grace and Gary Bryant III. 

     Many coyote fans are trying to stay positive as many newcomers could soon join the USD football team via the transfer portal. As of publication, USD has added 15 players, including running back Jaylen Anderson from West Virginia and defensive lineman Jackson Cowgill from Washington State.

     Quarterback Aidan Bouman returns to lead the offense, along with running back Charles Pierre Jr., who became the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher in a season, with more than 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024. Running back Keyondray Jones-Logan and wide receivers Jack Martens and Javion Phelps are also returning contributors. Under co-offensive coordinators Tim Morrison and Matt Vitzthum, the Coyotes aim to balance explosive passing with a strong rushing attack led by Pierre Jr., L.J. Phillips Jr. and Anderson.

     Defensively, USD will feature a largely new lineup. There are no starting defensive linemen returning, but Chris Dixon and Carter Hooper bring experience after appearing in every game last season. Linebacker Nate Ewell is the only returning starter, with Nyle Dickel and Jacob Clark expected to provide senior leadership. Gabe Hardman also returns in the linebacker group. 

     In the secondary, defensive backs Roman Tillmon and Matt Walsh return, while transfers will compete for playing time. Defensive coordinators Billy Kirch and Miles Taylor aim to replicate last season’s results, where USD allowed 17.6 points and 315.6 yards per game, ranking seventh and 17th in the FCS, respectively.

     As South Dakota enters its 130th football season, Johanssen and his staff aim to build on the 11-3 record, as well as bringing the FCS Championship trophy home to Vermillion for the first time.

     The South Dakota volleyball team finished its 2024 season with a 21-10 record and a 10-6 mark in Summit League play. The team was led by veterans Kylen Sealock, Alaina Wolff and Cheyenne Hlady, with contributions from a top-five nationally ranked recruiting class that included Lauren Medeck, Audrey Nelson, Morgan Bode, Carly Reis and Cora Hockenstad.

     After a strong start to the season, USD dropped its final three regular-season matches, including a 3-0 loss to rival South Dakota State in front of a record 2,810 fans at the SCSC.

     The Coyotes entered the Summit League tournament in Kansas City as the No. 3 seed and defeated Kansas City and Omaha in straight sets to advance to the title match against SDSU. South Dakota won 3-2, coming from behind twice to claim its fifth Summit League championship in seven years. USD also became the first team in league history to win three matches in three days to take the title.

     The Coyotes earned the Summit League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and faced No. 2 seed Creighton in Omaha, falling 3-0 to the host team. It marked the program’s fifth season with 20 or more wins and its fifth NCAA appearance since 2018.

     On Jan. 10, head coach Leanne Williamson announced the addition of Katherine Thompson, a defensive specialist/libero from Marist, via the transfer portal. Thompson is expected to provide depth to the team’s defensive rotation. Five incoming freshmen have also signed to join the program.

     On April 28, Athletic Director Jon Schemmel announced a three-year contract extension for Williamson, extending her tenure through the 2030 season. Williamson is USD’s all-time wins leader, and holds a career record of 231-101 as she enters into her 12th season. Under the three-time Summit League Coach of the Year, the Coyotes have claimed either the regular-season or postseason conference title in seven of the last eight seasons. 

     USD went undefeated in conference play in 2019 and has produced four Summit League Players of the Year, four defensive players of the year, four setters of the year and two freshmen of the year during Williamson’s tenure.

     Looking ahead to 2025, the Coyotes return a strong core including Medeck, Amanda Loschen and Bode at the net, Avery Van Hook at setter, and Hockenstad and Kamryn Farris in the back row. Returning players Samantha Laird, Nelson and Reis are also expected to take on larger roles, alongside the incoming freshman class.

     Both the football and volleyball teams face tough conference schedules in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Summit League, respectively. With experienced leadership and incoming talent, the Coyotes will look to remain competitive on the national stage.