{
  "id": 17729533,
  "title": "Teams gunning for berths in SoDak 16 state-qualifying games on Nov. 10",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/teams-gunning-for-berths-in-sodak-16-state-qualifying-games-on-nov-10",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-02T02:30:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/teams-gunning-berths-sodak-16-023037461.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Dakota high school volleyball teams are in the midst of region play as they aim to secure spots in the 2026 SoDak 16 state-qualifying games on November 10. Two teams from each region move on to the state tournament Nov. 19-21 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. Here's a look at which teams could advance this week:\n\nRegion 1A Groton Area and Roncalli are the top-seeded teams in the region. Roncalli has advanced to the state tournament four years in a row, while Groton Area has made it three times. Both teams have strong players, including Jillian Ellwein and Elyana Roach for Roncalli, and Tevan Hanson and Taryn Traphagen for Groton Area. Roncalli will face Britton-Hecla in the first round, while Groton Area will play Sisseton.\n\nRegion 2A Clark-Willow Lake is the top seed in Class A, followed by Hamlin. Hamlin lost the state tournament last year but is returning with a strong roster led by Shelby Begeman and Issie Steffensen. Clark-Willow Lake has only lost to Hamlin this season and is looking to secure a spot in the state tournament for the fifth time in seven years. Third-seeded Sioux Valley, who lost to the Chargers in the regular season, will need to avenge that loss to advance.\n\nRegion 6A Miller and Platte-Geddes have both moved down to Class B for the state tournament. Mobridge-Pollock, the top seed in the region, needs two wins to return to the SoDak 16 after falling in five-straight matches from 2019-2023. Chamberlain and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte will also advance this week.",
  "summary": "Ultimate goal for area volleyball teams in the state tourney Nov. 19-21 at Sioux Falls.",
  "key_points": [
    "Groton Area and Roncalli are top-seeded teams in Region 1A.",
    "Clark-Willow Lake is the top seed in Class A, aiming for fifth state appearance in seven years.",
    "Mobridge-Pollock needs two wins to return to SoDak 16 after five consecutive losses."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The upcoming regional matchups determine which programs maintain their championship status and which teams must break long postseason droughts to secure a spot at the state tournament in Sioux Falls.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}