Defending champion Harrisburg headlines this year’s Class AA state volleyball tournament field. 

The Tigers will sport their 28-0 record and 44-match winning streak dating back to last season. Harrisburg will start its title defense against Aberdeen Central on Thursday. 

In addition to Harrisburg, Washington, Jefferson, O’Gorman and Lincoln are back from last season. Watertown, Brandon Valley and Aberdeen Central round out the field. 

No. 1 Harrisburg (28-0)

Coach: Ronette Costain

Key players: Gabi Zachariasen (461 kills, 26 aces, 29 blocks, 199 digs), Karalynn Leach (189 kills, 42 aces, 49 blocks, 68 digs), Kennedy Kokenge (158 kills, 52 aces, 19 blocks, 265 digs), Bergen Stiff (139 kills, 52 blocks, 31 digs), Lauren Venenga (92 kills, 15 blocks, 47 digs), Lindsay Langner (29 aces, 162 digs), Josalyn Samuels (71 kills, 31 aces, 27 blocks, 166 digs, 924 assists).

Notes: Harrisburg will play Aberdeen Central at 11 a.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … Harrisburg swept Aberdeen Central this season. … Harrisburg is making its 12th state volleyball appearance. The Tigers won last season’s state championship, while they also won state titles in 2005, ‘16 and ‘17. … The Tigers have no seniors on the roster. … Harrisburg is on a 44-match winning streak. 

No. 2 Sioux Falls Jefferson (21-2)

Coach: Beth Donnelly 

Key players: Emory Brosnahan (243 kills, 46 aces, 188 digs, 35 blocks), Mya Hejl (147 kills, 16 aces, 44 digs, 66 blocks), Isabel Simmons (140 kills, 34 digs, 58 blocks), Lizzy Spah (132 kills, 38 blocks, 26 digs), Ella Kvernmo (131 kills, 260 digs, 10 blocks), Presly Pastian (25 aces, 679 assists, 188 digs, 18 blocks), Averi Schmitt (22 aces, 140 digs), Brooke Bowen (21 aces, 58 digs). 

Notes: Sioux Falls Jefferson will play Brandon Valley at 5 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … The Cavaliers swept Brandon Valley earlier this season. … Jefferson placed second last season, in just its second season of existence. 

No. 3 Sioux Falls Washington (25-3)

Coach: Kelly Schroeder

Key players: Cate Legel (241 kills, 27 aces, 17 blocks, 181 digs), Kaelyn Snoozy (203 kills, 31 aces, 22 blocks, 251 digs), Nyariek Kur (169 kills, 37 blocks, 43 digs), Carlie Beckstrand (162 kills, 16 blocks, 40 digs), Grace Nesdahl (108 kills, 54 blocks, 29 digs), Macie Malchow (66 kills, 56 aces, 34 blocks, 191 digs, 761 assists), Taryn Kirsch (434 digs, 58 aces), Anessa Hosman (194 digs, 38 aces).

Notes: Sioux Falls Washington will play Sioux Falls Lincoln at 6:45 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … Sioux Falls Washington swept Sioux Falls Lincoln twice this season. … The Warriors are making their 35th state volleyball appearance. Washington won state championships in 1982, ‘83, ‘84, ‘90, ‘91, ‘94 and 2001. 

No. 4 Watertown (25-6)

Coach: Rosemary Bellum

Key players: Emery Thury (312 kills, 47 aces, 26 blocks, 251 digs), Emily Tisher (228 kills, 25 blocks, 52 digs), Carter Jurrens (133 kills, 70 blocks), Hannah Herzog (122 kills, 63 blocks), Eve Hauger (121 kills, 45 blocks, 14 digs), Miranda Falconer (899 assists, 26 blocks, 167 digs), Addison Johnston (205 digs, 29 aces), Paige McAreavey (160 digs, 62 aces)

Notes: Watertown will play Sioux Falls O’Gorman at 12:45 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … Watertown lost to Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 3-2, on Sept. 12. … Watertown is making its 14th state volleyball appearance and first since 2020. … The Arrows won state championships in 1997 and 2019. 

No. 5 Sioux Falls O’Gorman (17-10)

Coach: Cale Hecht

Key players: Keira McManus (204 kills, 56 blocks), Mackenzie Walsh (196 kills, 35 blocks), Katie McKay (141 kills, 244 digs), Tyla Mauney (451 digs, 30 aces), Kyra Hermanson (614 assists), Zoie Roghair (35 aces, 202 digs), Londyn Smith (38 aces, 157 digs), Lily Wuebben (34 blocks), Ava Schuler (121 kills), Lauren Meyer (105 kills).  

Notes: Sioux Falls O’Gorman will play Watertown at 12:45 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … O’Gorman defeated Watertown, 3-2, on Sept. 12. … The Knights are making their 28th state volleyball appearance. … Sioux Falls O’Gorman won state championships in 1987, ‘88, ‘89, 2002, ‘13, ‘14 and ‘20. 

No. 6 Sioux Falls Lincoln (13-10)

Coach: Katie Tirrel 

Key players: Linnea Nesheim (244 kills, 40 aces, 31 blocks, 203 digs), Kaitlyn Koel (125 kills, 47 blocks, 30 digs), Emma Kruse (99 kills, 15 blocks, 70 digs), Hadlie Groen (91 kills, 30 aces, 56 blocks, 30 digs), Ella Warden (30 aces, 10 blocks, 176 digs, 303 assists), Josie Tollinger (291 assists, 114 digs, 23 aces).

Notes: Sioux Falls Lincoln will play Sioux Falls Washington at 6:45 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … Lincoln was by Washington twice this season. … Lincoln is making its 26th state volleyball appearance. … Lincoln won state championships in 1993, 2004, ‘10 and ‘11. 

No. 7 Brandon Valley (15-13)

Coach: Marette Grage 

Key players: Abby Gruber (223 kills, 48 blocks, 22 digs), Jayaunna Stroh (215 kills, 21 blocks, 30 aces, 219 digs), Jersie Melcher (212 kills, 27 blocks, 81 digs), Kennedi Boomsma (126 kills, 18 digs, 63 blocks), Riya Sheeley (685 assists, 177 digs, 43 aces), Sydney Benson (42 aces, 296 digs), Alli Gawarecki (28 aces, 154 digs), Lexi Gawarecki (124 digs, 25 aces). 

Notes: Brandon Valley will play Sioux Falls Jefferson at 5 p.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … Brandon Valley was swept by Jefferson earlier this season. … Brandon Valley is making its ninth state volleyball appearance. … Brandon Valley was the 2015 Class AA runner-up. 

No. 8 Aberdeen Central (14-11)

Coach: Jackie Bindenagel 

Key players: Grace Kuch (206 kills, 24 aces, 12 blocks, 183 digs), Lauryn Burckhard (228 kills, 15 blocks, 74 digs), Ashley Wangler (130 kills, 29 blocks), Kenadi Withers (90 kills, 26 blocks, 27 digs), Taryn Nieman (80 kills, 50 blocks), Madison Miller (38 aces, 206 digs), Sawyer Bahr (30 aces, 276 digs), Ayrlie Waldo (13 kills, 31 aces, 176 digs, 542 assists), Emma Dohrer (116 assists, 123 digs, 16 aces), Alivia Miller (20 kills, 12 aces, 45 digs). 

Notes: Aberdeen Central will play Harrisburg at 11 a.m. MT Thursday in the opener. … The Golden Eagles were swept by the Tigers this season. … Aberdeen Central is making its 30th state volleyball appearance. … The Golden Eagles won state championships in 2002, ‘09 and ‘15.