Growing girls sports in South Dakota

The visibility of girls sports in South Dakota is rising, with volleyball and women’s basketball drawing record crowds and creating access for younger players. South Dakota State hosted Sioux Falls native Bergen Reilly and Nebraska on Sept. 2, and the 5,113 attendees were the largest in First Bank and Trust Arena’s history. In addition, the Sanford Pentagon sold out the state’s first WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky on April 25, with an opportunity for young girls to join a camp led by Mercury players. Sioux Falls Washington coach Jamie Parish said the accessibility has improved since pre-COVID days, when kids had little chance to watch or learn about the WNBA. Officials say these events can spark interest, bringing college-level competition “right in their back yard.”