By Rich Winter

Early Friday morning the 2021 Lakota Nation Invitational volleyball tournament tips off, and with that, volleyball teams from Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota have an opportunity to play on the big stage. Many of the schools participating did not play volleyball last year so the 2021 tournament has an extra buzz about it. 

“For a lot of the coaches and girls this is their state tournament,” Dani Walking Eagle, Lakota Nation volleyball Director said. 

This is the 26th year for Lakota Nation volleyball and Walking Eagle still feels the same excitement as when the first tourney tipped off in 1994. 

“Being able to have this exposure and see teams that you wouldn’t normally see during the regular season is big,” Walking Eagle said. “There is a certain thrill about Lakota Nation volleyball so we are happy to be back.”

As the tournament begins on Friday the Skye Tucker coached White River girls may be considered the pre-tournament favorite. White River is 9-3 on the season and coming off a 5-set road win over a good Gregory squad. 

“I think the win in Gregory gave our girls a glimpse of their potential on how well they can play,” Tucker said.

Tucker noted that at practice Wednesday a recurring theme was seeing and hearing the girls talk about how excited they are to be going back to this tournament. 

The Tigers are led by seniors Kelsey Morrison (setter), Karlie Cameron and Kaylee Gray. Six-foot-1 junior Tana Bear Heels provides an intimidating presence in the middle and Tucker says she has two sophomores that have provided some offense from a lot of different options. 

Sixteen teams will be participating. 

The Tigers are led by 

Pool A

Pine Ridge

Crow Creek

Santee

Wyoming Indian

Little Wound

Marty Indian

White River

Cheyenne-Eagle Butte

Pool B

Custer

St. Francis Indian

Todd County 

Red Cloud

Crazy Horse

Oelrichs

Lower Brule

Tiospa Zina