South Dakota Athletes Shine Early for Mount Marty, Chadron State
Small-town South Dakota athletes are making their mark on the college sports scene this fall, with several former area standouts delivering key performances for Mount Marty University and Chadron State in the early weeks of the 2026 season.
From a senior outside hitter racking up kills in Yankton to a defensive lineman anchoring the front line in Nebraska, these athletes are proving that Midwest work ethic translates to success at the next level.
Indahl and Even Power Mount Marty Volleyball
Burke product Adisyn Indahl and McCook Central graduate Brianna Even have both been early-season contributors for Mount Marty University volleyball, helping the Lancers jump out to an 8-7 record after finishing 12-16 last year.
Indahl, a senior outside hitter, has tallied 106 kills in the first 15 matches, ranking third on the team behind middle hitter Caitlin Guenther and outside hitter Jaya Wachholtz. She has reached double figures in kills four times this season, including 11 kills in an Aug. 15 loss to Montana Tech and another 11 in a 3-0 sweep of Culver-Stockton (Mo.) on Sept. 5, where she hit .450 for the match.
The senior also ranks second on the team with 166 digs and has added 10 service aces to her stat line.
Even, also a senior, leads the Lancers in assists within the team's two-setter system, posting 238 assists across 15 matches. She recorded a season-high 31 assists on Aug. 21 against Missouri Valley in a five-set thriller and recently surpassed 500 career assists. Even has reached double-digit assists in 14 of 15 matches and has chipped in eight aces, 11 kills, and 83 digs.
The Lancers are 0-1 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play. They travel to Hastings on Sept. 9 and visit Midland on Sept. 12 before hosting Concordia (Neb.) on Sept. 16 in Yankton.
Clubb Anchors Chadron State Defensive Line
Howard High School graduate Griffin Clubb has stepped into a starting role on the defensive line for Division II Chadron State in 2026, and the senior is making an immediate impact.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior has recorded nine tackles in the Eagles' first two games, including a five-tackle performance in a 24-21 home win over Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 3. He also registered a tackle for loss in that victory.
Clubb added four tackles in a 42-17 road loss at Northern State on Aug. 27.
His strong start is especially notable given that he was limited to just three games in 2025 due to a season-ending injury. In 2024, he posted 20 tackles across 11 games for the Eagles.
Chadron State (1-1) plays at Western Colorado on Sept. 12 before returning home to host Colorado State Pueblo on Sept. 19.
Randall's Pick-Six Highlight for Mount Marty Football
Mount Marty University junior linebacker Carter Randall, a Salem native, opened the 2026 season with a bang, recording his first career interception in the Lancers' 55-6 blowout win over Clarke University on Aug. 29.
Randall returned the interception 27 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter, snuffing out a Clarke scoring chance. Mount Marty capitalized on the ensuing drive with a score of its own.
The interception came in just Randall's second career game on the field for MMU, which has started the season a perfect 2-0. He has collected four total tackles through the first two contests.
The Lancers are coming off a 49-35 win over Briar Cliff on Sept. 5 and will face Northwestern at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 in Orange City, Iowa.
What's Next for These Area Athletes?
All three athletes have pivotal matchups ahead as their teams push through September. Mount Marty volleyball looks to bounce back in conference play, Chadron State aims to build momentum on the road, and Mount Marty football seeks to extend its unbeaten start.
For fans of South Dakota high school athletics, these players are carrying the torch with pride, showing that talent from small towns across the state can compete at the collegiate level.