Celebrating South Dakota’s senior class

A quintet of seniors led South Dakota women’s basketball to its third-straight NCAA Tournament berth this season. These seniors won a pair of Summit League Tournament trophies and went undefeated in the Summit League regular season – twice. South Dakota has received votes in the Associated Press Top 25 for more than half of their Coyote careers. And this year’s senior class owns the nation’s ninth-best winning percentage in their four seasons with a 106-21 record (.835).

The quintet includes No. 1 Claudia Kunzer, No. 2 Liv Korngable, No. 11 Monica Arens, No. 22 Chloe Lamb and No. 34 Hannah Sjerven.

“What this senior class has accomplished is remarkable!” said USD head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. “Their individual achievements and accolades have contributed to elevating our team’s success to unprecedented levels both within the Summit League and on the national level. Going undefeated in league play twice, being ranked in the AP Top 25, and advancing to the NCAA Tournament three consecutive seasons has raised the standard of excellence for an already accomplished women’s basketball program!”

The unique part of the 2020-21 basketball season was that prior to tip-off, the NCAA announced the year would not count towards a student-athlete’s eligibility, similar to the announcements made for the 2020 spring and fall sports’ seasons.

This provided each of the five seniors with the opportunity to return for an additional year.

The trio of Korngable, Lamb and Sjerven have announced their decisions to return for the 2021-22 season at South Dakota. Kunzer and Arens, both nursing majors, will forgo the opportunity on the basketball court to pursue their academic endeavors.

“I am so proud of each and every one of them and extremely thankful for all of their hard work on the court, but I am even more proud of the young women they have developed into off the court!” Plitzuweit continued. “They have each poured just as much of themselves into the classroom and the community as they have onto the court. They have helped lead this program to be named academic national champions, have given excitement and hope to our fan base during a worldwide pandemic, and have inspired the youth to grow into our future leaders. There hasn’t been a week that has gone by since they’ve set foot on campus that they haven’t been selfless with their time to help those around them. Achieving these feats requires a level of energy and self-discipline that very few people encompass, and I feel blessed to have coached a group that was able to bring their absolute best to this program and the University on a daily basis!

“We are thankful for everything Monica and Claudia contributed over the last four years, and know without a doubt, they will be amazing nurses who will continue to have a positive impact on everyone around them! While this year has brought many challenges, it has given Coyote women’s basketball fans a lot to be excited about, and we are thrilled to have Hannah, Chloe and Liv returning for the upcoming season and look forward to them continuing to build on their legacy at USD!”

A summary of each senior’s career and details on their decision follows.

No. 1 Claudia Kunzer

Kunzer, hailing from Bartlett, Illinois, scored more than 150 points and grabbed more than 100 rebounds in her career. She took on the role of the Coyotes’ official hype woman and was featured in Sports Illustrated last April.

Kunzer is pursuing her bachelor’s in nursing.

“I am a person who loves to give my 150 percent in everything I do,” said Kunzer. “Next year will be the final year of my nursing degree and I just don’t think it will be possible to pursue both nursing and basketball while giving my all to both. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but nursing is something that I am so passionate about and I want to be able to give my all into it.”

No. 2 Liv Korngable

Korngable, hailing from Rochester, Minnesota, has scored more than 650 points and dished out more than 150 assists in her career. Her field-goal percentage (.504) this season was the 13th-best nationally by a guard. She garnered all-Summit League second team honors in her senior season as the Coyotes’ third-leading scorer and top distributor. Korngable also made the all-Summit League Tournament team.

Korngable is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sport management. She plans to attend physical therapy school after completing her basketball career.

“I will be coming back next year,” said Korngable. “My career path shifted a bit – I interviewed for some PT programs this fall and was planning to pursue that – but when I was given the opportunity to play another year I couldn’t pass that up. I get to be a PT for the rest of my life, but I only get to play college basketball with such a special group for so long.”

No. 11 Monica Arens

Arens, a native of Crofton, Nebraska, scored more than 600 points and grabbed 300 rebounds in her career. She also led the team in charges taken during her time as a Coyote. Arens will also be remembered for her buzzer-beater at the end of regulation against Drake, a game the Coyotes went on to win 102-94 in overtime. She was a Summit League preseason pick.

Arens is pursuing her bachelor’s in nursing.

“When I came to USD my freshman year, I did not realize I was about to take on the most memorable four years of my life,” said Arens. “Basketball has impacted me in a way that I will cherish. The things I have learned not only in the sport, but about myself as well, will be lessons that I carry forever. The people that USD has brought into my life have not only become my friends, but my family as well. It has not been an easy decision, but I will not be returning next season. I have started my next journey in becoming a nurse. I am beyond thankful that USD has prepared me for this next step in my lfe. It has truly been an amazing experience. Once a Yote, always a Yote.”

No. 22 Chloe Lamb

Lamb, a native of Onida, South Dakota, has scored more than 1,300 points and grabbed more than 350 rebounds in her career. She’s the Summit’s top 3-point shooter and her 187 threes are the sixth-most by a Coyote. Lamb also climbed into USD’s top-10 career scoring list at the end of this season. She was named the Summit League Tournament MVP and earned all-league honors for the second-straight year.

Lamb will graduate in December with her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sport management. She plans to begin her master’s degree next spring.

“I’m so excited to have another year!” said Lamb. “This opportunity works out well with school and it puts me in a good position to pursue a future in coaching college basketball. This program has given me so much the past four years, I couldn’t pass up another year with the Yotes!”

No. 34 Hannah Sjerven

Sjerven, hailing from Rogers, Minnesota, has tallied more than 1,200 points and 650 rebounds in three seasons. She’s led the Summit in blocks each year and her 181 blocks ranks second in program history. She put up 11 double-doubles this season, highlighted by a 30-20 game at Bradley. Her Summit League trophy case includes two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time all-league first team, three-time all-tournament team, 2020 Tournament MVP, 2019 Sixth Woman of the Year and 2019 Transfer of the Year. She’s also a finalist for the 2021 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.

Sjerven graduated in December of 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She will complete her master’s degree in human factors psychology this May and plans to pursue a second master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in psychology and sports next year.

“I am excited to announce I am coming back for another year in Vermillion!” Sjerven said. “This team has taught me so much and I am grateful to have another year to develop as a player, teammate and person.”

South Dakota will have 13 returners for 2021-22 and add three freshmen – Cassidy Carson, Carley Duffney, Grace Larkins – to the group.