November 9, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State (S.D.) senior libero/defensive specialist
Kate VanRooyan was named the Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference Women's Volleyball Defender of the Week Monday, the final edition of the 2026 conference volleyball weekly awards were announced the conference office. It marks her second career conference weekly honor and her second recognition in the past four weeks.
VanRooyan, a native of Dakota Dunes, S.D., anchored the Trojans' back-row defense as Dakota State completed a perfect 2-0 road trip through North Dakota to close the Frontier Conference regular-season schedule. The Trojans extended their winning streak to five matches and earned their 10th victory in the last 11 contests.
VanRooyan collected 58 digs in eight sets, averaging an impressive 7.25 digs per set. She also contributed nine set assists and two service aces while recording a .960 reception percentage on 25 serve-receive attempts.
She opened the week by registering 19 digs, averaging 6.33 digs per set, and a service ace in Dakota State's 3-0 sweep over Mayville State (N.D.) on Nov. 4 at Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.
VanRooyan followed with a career-high 39 digs, averaging 7.80 digs per set, in the Trojans' thrilling 3-2 comeback victory at Valley City State (N.D.) on Nov. 7. She also contributed five set assists and a service ace as Dakota State rallied from a 2-1 match deficit to secure the victory.
Her defensive performance helped the Trojans finish the match with 121 digs compared to Valley City State's 114, while holding the Vikings to a negative .154 hitting percentage in the decisive fifth set.
VanRooyan previously earned the Frontier Conference Defender of the Week honor on Oct. 19 after collecting 70 digs in 11 sets, averaging 6.36 digs per set, during Dakota State's perfect 3-0 home stand. That stretch included an upset victory over then-No. 7-ranked Bellevue (Neb.), which suffered their first league setback of the season.
The Dakota Valley High School graduate also surpassed the 2,000-career dig milestone earlier this season and moved into second place on Dakota State's all-time career digs list.
Dakota State finished their second year in the Frontier Conference regular-season schedule with a 16-6 league record, earning the No. 3 seed in the conference postseason tournament.
The Trojans begin postseason action Thursday evening in the Frontier Conference Women's Volleyball Tournament at the PE Center in Helena, Mont. Dakota State faces sixth-seeded host Carroll (Mont.) in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. Central Time (7:30 p.m. Mountain Time).
