BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team was picked to finish sixth in the 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Wednesday by the league office. Graduate outside hitter Sadie Voss was named USF's NSIC Player to Watch.

The defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champions of St. Cloud State were selected as the preseason favorite, receiving eight first-place votes and 212 total points. Concordia-St. Paul was tabbed second with 208 points and four first-place votes, while Southwest Minnesota State came in third with 202 points and the remaining four first-place votes.

The Cougars, led by Head Coach Dan Mathews, enter the 2025 campaign returning multiple starters from last season and featuring a roster rich with upperclassmen leadership. USF also welcomes five freshmen eager to contribute at the collegiate level. The Cougars have qualified for the NSIC Tournament in each of the past three seasons and look to continue building on that postseason success.

"We've had a great offseason, and this group is hungry," said Mathews. "The leadership from our veterans, paired with the energy our freshmen bring, gives us a lot to be excited about. We know the NSIC is one of the toughest conferences in the country, and our group is ready to compete."

A cornerstone of the program, Sadie Voss returns for her final season as one of the NSIC's most dynamic and consistent performers. Over her career, she has served as USF's starting outside hitter, primary passer, and top point scorer — earning All-NSIC honors in each of her three seasons.

Voss has played in 83 career matches (295 sets), tallying 961 kills, 868 digs, 91 blocks, and 1,084 total points. She enters the season averaging 3.26 kills and 3.67 points per set for her career.

In 2024, Voss posted 323 kills, 292 digs, and 30 service aces over 96 sets — earning NSIC All-Conference First Team and NSIC All-Academic Team honors. Her prior seasons were just as strong, including an NSIC Freshman of the Year nod in 2022.

"Sadie is the heartbeat of our team," said Mathews. "Her consistency, work ethic, and leadership both on and off the court are unmatched. She's everything you want in a student-athlete."

The Cougars will open their 2025 season on Friday, September 5th in Daytona Beach, Florida as they take on Flagler and Montevello to kick of the 2025 Bahama House Classic.

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