SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota State’s Akayla Barnard and Mia Jarecki were listed as the Jackrabbits’ Preseason Players to Watch on Wednesday, Feb. 5, as part of The Summit League’s release of its 2025 Preseason Coaches’ Poll on Wednesday. SDSU was picked to finish second among the seven teams in The Summit League standings.

Defending Summit League Softball Tournament champion Omaha was tabbed as the preseason favorite for the 2025 regular season crown in the preseason coaches’ poll. The back-to-back tournament champions received five first-place votes and 35 total points to claim the top spot.

Three points behind the Mavericks in the poll were the four-time defending regular season champion Jackrabbits. SDSU held the No. 2 spot with 32 total points and the two remaining first-place votes.

South Dakota finished third in the poll with 21 total points while St. Thomas was fourth with 18 total points. Kansas City was picked to finish fifth with 15 total points while North Dakota and North Dakota State rounded out the preseason poll in a tie for sixth with 13 points apiece.

Mia Jarecki, South Dakota State

Sr. | Infielder | Papillion, Neb.

• Named 2024 Summit League Player of the Year and NFCA All-Midwest Region First Team Selection.
• Started all 55 games at second base.
• Hit a team-leading .392 behind 67 hits while collecting seven doubles, four triples and nine home runs last season.
• Accumulated 28 RBIs, 109 total bases, scored 48 times, stole 11 bases and slugged .637 in 2024.

Akayla Barnard, South Dakota State

So. | Pitcher/Utility | Cabot, Ark.

• Appeared in 35 games with 32 starts and 12 showings in the circle.
• Posted a 5-2 record and struck out 27 in 33 2/3 innings with a 4.16 ERA.
• Batted .253 with 24 hits, including three doubles, four triples, and a home run.