SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of North Dakota volleyball team was selected to finish sixth in the 2026 Summit League Preseason Poll.
Lauren Perugini and
An den Hamer were selected as players to watch by the league's coaches.
The Fighting Hawks earned 16 points after the 4-12 finish in conference play last season and going 7-20 overall. South Dakota State was picked to win the conference with six first-place votes and 47 total points. South Dakota and St. Thomas tied for second with 41 points and one first-place vote.
Den Hamer and Perugini are set to be key leaders on the court this year for UND. The junior and senior were named captains during the spring season as the program ushers in a new era with head coach David Nguyen.
Perugini, a senior outside hitter from Mississauga, Ontario, was a key part of last year's attacking group with 117 kills. She also collected 62 digs on defense and 14 receptions.
Den Hamer, a right side from Apeldoor, Netherlands, will step into a large role for the Hawks offense this season.
UND begins its season this weekend at the Steve Nimocks Redhawk Invitational, hosted by SeattleU. The Hawks will play Eastern Washington, SeattleU, and Chicago State over three days.
2026 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
2025 Record (SL) |
| 1. |
South Dakota State |
47(6) |
23-5 (16-0) |
| T2. |
South Dakota |
41(1) |
20-9 (12-4) |
| T2. |
St. Thomas |
41(1) |
21-10 (11-5) |
| 4. |
North Dakota State |
29 |
17-11 (10-6) |
| 5. |
Omaha |
27 |
10-16 (7-9) |
| 6. |
North Dakota |
16 |
7-20 (4-12) |
| 7. |
Kansas City |
14 |
3-26 (2-14) |
| 8. |
Oral Roberts |
9 |
3-25 (1-15) |
2026 Summit League Volleyball Players to Watch
Kansas City: Ryanne Wattree (Sr., Outside Hitter/Right Side), Chloe Kaminski (Sr., Defensive Specialist/Libero)
North Dakota:
Lauren Perugini (Sr., Outside Hitter),
An den Hamer (Jr., Right Side)
North Dakota State: Lauren Jansen (Sr., Outside Hitter), Zoe John (Jr., Outside Hitter)
Omaha: Faith Venable (So., Outside Hitter), Maddie Stuesser (Jr., Setter)
Oral Roberts: Cortnee Smith (Jr., Outside Hitter/Right Side), Ana Appel (Fr., Setter)
St. Thomas: Morgan Kealy (Sr., Setter), Anya Schmidt (So., Outside Hitter)
South Dakota: Avery Van Hook (Sr., Setter), Lauren Medeck (Jr., Outside Hitter)
South Dakota State: Sylvie Zgonc (Sr., Outside Hitter), Joslyn Richardson (Sr., Defensive Specialist)
For more information on North Dakota volleyball, follow on social media @UNDvolleyball or visit FightingHawks.com.
--UND--
