BROOKINGS – South Dakota State volleyball announced Monday the addition of sophomore transfer Tatum Pickar for the 2019 season. Pickar spent last year at North Dakota State College of Science and will be immediately eligible for the Jackrabbits.

“Tatum is a quick, smart defensive player who brings a year of college athletics experience with her to SDSU,” head coach Nicole Cirillo said. “She will add depth and great competition to our back line to ensure that we are keeping the ball off the ground. Leading the nation in digs per set at NDSCS is very impressive and we are excited that she has chosen to be a Jackrabbit.”

A 2018 NJCAA All-Region selection, Pickar averaged 7.26 digs per set with 878 total digs for the season. She earned All-Mon-Dak Conference honors and led the National Junior College Athletic Association (DII) in digs per set.

From Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Pickar helped the Wildcats to Mon-Dak Conference, District G and Region XIII titles as the program reached the NJCAA National Tournament ranked ninth.

Pickar, who plans to major in exercise science at South Dakota State, was awarded Second Team Academic All-American honors as well for the year, posting a 3.903 grade-point average in the classroom.

She graduated from Cannon Falls High School in May 2018, tallying over 2,000 digs in her career with three trips to the sectional playoffs. A Minnesota First Team All-State selection in 2016 and 2017, Pickar had 582 digs as a senior and 659 as a junior.

The Jackrabbits report for fall camp in early August. The 2019 schedule will be released later this month.