The Tommies volleyball team is going dancing.
In its first season of Division-I postseason eligibility, the program became the school’s first to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament by knocking off top-seeded South Dakota State in four sets in the Summit League Tournament title match Tuesday in Brookings, South Dakota.
St. Thomas freshman outside hitter Maddy Benka celebrates with her teammates after the Tommies defeated South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament championship match in Brookings, South Dakota on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 (Dave Eggen/Inertia)
“We put in so much hard work, and it’s just so cool to see it all pay off. We’ve worked so hard and we all bought in so much and it’s just so awesome,” Senior right side Tezra Rudzitis told the broadcast. “It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s so awesome that I get to do it with so many awesome girls.”
The Tommies fell twice to the Jackrabbits during the regular season, but claimed the first set Tuesday. South Dakota State responded to win the second set, but St. Thomas won the third and fourth.
Leading 24-23 in the fourth set, it was a kill from Addie Schmotzer that sealed the deal for the Tommies.
“We just played so hard tonight,” St. Thomas coach Thanh Pham told the broadcast. “For our girls, it was a battle. We knew what it would come down to, and it was exactly what we thought — just a knock down, drag out fight.”
Rudzitis was dominant for St. Thomas, tallying 22 kills while hitting .327 in the final. Anya Schmidt added 12 kills, while Megan Wetter had 11.
Morgan Kealy was named tournament MVP after she recorded 41 set assists in the final.
NCAA Tournament action begins next week. The Tommies’ seed and regional site will be announced during Sunday’s selection show.
“Beyond excited,” Rudzitis said. “It’s literally a dream for all of us, and we’re all so excited.”
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