Summit League Volleyball Stars Dominate AVCA All-Region Selections
Six outstanding student-athletes from the Summit League received recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Tuesday, as the organization unveiled its All-Northwest Region teams. The selections highlight the growing talent and competitive spirit within the conference.
The South Dakota State duo of Madison Burr and Sylvie Zgonc led the charge, earning coveted spots on the All-Northwest Region First Team. They were joined by Kamryn Farris of South Dakota and Tezra Rudzitis from St. Thomas. South Dakota’s Lauren Medeck and St. Thomas’ Morgan Kealy rounded out the Summit League representation with honorable mention accolades.
Jackrabbits’ Duo Earn First Team Honors
Madison Burr’s inclusion marks the third time a South Dakota State player has been honored in the Division I era. Her teammate, Sylvie Zgonc, secured recognition for the second consecutive season. According to reports, Burr distinguished herself as a formidable presence at the net, excelling as both a blocker and an efficient attacker. She concluded the season with an impressive 139 blocks (1.34 blocks per set), including 25 solo stops.
Offensively, the Goodhue, Minnesota native tallied 259 kills with a .283 hitting percentage. Burr’s consistent performance earned her First Team All-Summit League honors and a place on the Summit League All-Tournament team last month.
Zgonc, hailing from Hartford, Wisconsin, currently ranks 47th nationally in kills (451), 55th in total points (4.34), and 39th in total attacks (1,233). She led the Summit League in both kills per set (4.34) and points per set (4.77). The junior was named the Summit League Player of the Year for the second year running, finishing the season with 14 double-doubles and contributing to SDSU’s impressive 23-5 overall record and a perfect 16-0 conference run.
Rudzitis Concludes Stellar Career with All-Region Recognition
Tezra Rudzitis cemented her legacy as a top offensive force in the Summit League, recording 400 kills (3.48 kills per set), 885 total attacks, and 426.5 points. Like Burr and Zgonc, Rudzitis was also a First Team All-Summit League selection and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after leading the St. Thomas Tommies to their first postseason title in the Division I era.
Throughout her career, Rudzitis amassed 1,096 kills, 1,213 points, 263 digs, and 180 blocks. She ranked second in the conference in kills, with her 400 kills setting a new single-season career high. A senior official stated that Rudzitis “played some of the best volleyball of her career in the second half of the season,” consistently notching double-digit kills in 15 of her final 16 matches, averaging 14.4 kills per match, and achieving a hitting percentage above .300 in 10 matches.
Defensive and Setting Prowess Also Honored
Kamryn Farris, a two-time All-Summit League First Team honoree and two-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, showcased her exceptional defensive skills, digging out 536 balls this season. This total ranked first in the Summit League and 24th nationally. The Lansing, Kansas native averaged 4.74 digs per set and reached double-digit digs in 27 matches, adding 38 service aces.
Morgan Kealy, the reigning Summit League Setter of the Year for the second consecutive season, orchestrated the Tommie offense to their first DI postseason title. She recorded 1,159 assists, ranking first in the League and 27th nationally, averaging 10.08 assists per set. Kealy was named the Summit League Championship MVP and registered 19 double-doubles, including a career-best 52 assists against North Dakota.
Lauren Medeck earned her first all-region honorable mention, notching 345 kills (3.75 kills per set) on 978 attacks, with 239 digs and 383.5 points during the 2025 season.
The widespread recognition of these six Summit League athletes underscores the conference’s rising prominence in collegiate volleyball and sets the stage for continued success in the seasons to come.
