WEDNESDAY SPORTS, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Kernels girls tennis finished second as a team at the ESD Conference championship on Tuesday in Sioux Falls, with three flight winners. Charlee Cimpl won Flight 5 singles and teamed with Taryn Bultje to win Flight 3 doubles, while Elliot Smith captured the Flight 4 singles title. The Kernels scored 308 ½ points, finishing behind Harrisburg with 359. Mitchell also had second-place finishes from Katie Morgan and Bultje in singles, plus Mia Larson and Smith in Flight 2 doubles. The Kernels will compete in the Class AA state tournament Oct. 8-9 in Rapid City.
— Mitchell Kernels volleyball fell to Sioux Falls Jefferson in a three-set sweep Tuesday night, 25-21, 25-21, 26-24. Mitchell led 21-18 in the second set, but Jefferson closed with seven straight points. The Kernels also had a set point at 24-23 in the third, before Jefferson scored the final three points. Charleigh Collins led Mitchell with nine kills, while Nia Talley had eight kills and 16 digs. Mitchell falls to 4-8 on the season and hosts Pierre Thursday at 7 p.m.
— Mitchell Kernels girls soccer, 3-8-1 on the season, lost at Tea Area on Tuesday night 2-0. The Kernels host West Central on Thursday at 5:30 pm to end the regular season.
— Mitchell Kernels boys soccer, 3-9-1 on the season, lost at Tea Area on Tuesday night 8-1. The Kernels will be at James Valley Christian on Thursday at 5:30 pm to end the regular season.
— Mitchell Kernel football, 3-2 on the season, will be at Watertown on Friday night at 7 pm. Coverage starts with the KORNer Booth pregame show at 6 pm. The Kernels are coming off a 34-20 homecoming loss to West Central last week.
DAKOTA WESLEYAN
— Dakota Wesleyan sophomore forward Evan Bolster has been named the GPAC men’s soccer offensive player of the week. The Ireland native scored both goals in DWU’s 2-0 win over Northwestern last week, giving the Tigers their first victory over the Red Raiders since 2012. The two goals were Bolster’s first of the season and give him nine in his DWU career.
— Dakota Wesleyan football, 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC, visit No. 7 Morningside on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.
— Dakota Wesleyan women’s soccer, 2-1-3 on the season, will be at Dordt on Wednesday at 5 pm.
— Dakota Wesleyan men’s soccer, 2-3-1 on the season, will be at Dordt on Wednesday at 7:15 pm.
— No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan volleyball, 13-5 overall and 2-4 in the GPAC, return to action on Friday at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
— South Dakota State men’s golf finished second at the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday. The Jackrabbits shot a final-round 281, finishing at 17-under for the tournament, six strokes behind Southern Miss. Watertown native Jake Olson tied for fourth at seven-under, while Jacob Wilson finished sixth at five-under. The Jacks were the top finisher among six Summit League teams in the field.
— South Dakota State outside hitter Sylvie Zgonc has been named a Summit League Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week. The senior had 19 kills and 13 digs in the Jackrabbits’ three-set conference-opening win over USD. Zgonc averaged 6.3 kills and 6.5 points per set in the match. It’s her third weekly honor this season and the eighth offensive weekly award of her career.
— South Dakota State football, 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the MVFC, will be at No. 10 Illinois State on Saturday at 6 pm. The Jackrabbit pregame show starts at 4 pm on KORN News Radio.
— South Dakota State volleyball will be at Omaha on Thursday at 6:30 pm. The Jacks swept USD 3-0 on Friday night in Vermillion to improve to 5-7 on the season and 1-0 in the Summit League.
— South Dakota State women’s soccer, 6-2-2 on the season, will be at North Dakota State on Saturday at 7 pm
SOUTH DAKOTA
— USD football, 3-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, returns home on Saturday for Dakota Days, hosting Indiana State at 2 p.m.
— USD volleyball will be at St. Thomas on Thursday at 7 pm. The Coyotes were swept by SDSU 3-0 on Friday night in Vermillion to fall to 7-5 on the season and 0-1 in the Summit League.
— USD women’s soccer, 3-4-3 on the season, will be at North Dakota on Saturday at 1 pm.
MLB PLAYOFFS
— Atlanta’s Austin Riley delivered a three-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the Braves to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday. Riley’s blast came off All-Star closer Jhoan Duran after Michael Harris II singled and Ozzie Albies was hit by a pitch. Philadelphia had taken a 3-2 lead in the seventh on a two-run triple by J.T. Realmuto, but Atlanta rallied in the eighth. The Braves can clinch the best-of-three series Wednesday.
— The New York Yankees shutout the Boston Red Sox 9-0 in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series. Cam Schlittler allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Ben Rice led the Yankees with four hits, two homers and six RBIs, including a grand slam in the eighth inning.
— The San Diego Padres shutout the Chicago Cubs 8-0 in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch, the first leadoff homer in Padres playoff history. Manny Machado also homered in the first inning, while Xander Bogaerts added a solo shot. Michael King took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, finishing with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
— The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday. Colson Montgomery hit a solo homer and Sam Antonacci drove in two runs as Chicago built a 3-0 lead after two innings. The White Sox, in the postseason for the first time since 2021, added to the lead with Montgomery’s 432-foot homer in the fourth. Houston rallied to within 5-2, but Chicago added an insurance run in the seventh.
MLB PLAYOFFS – WEDNESDAY – BEST OF THREE
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 1 pm on NBC – Atlanta leads the series 1-0
Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox, 4 pm on Peacock/NBC Sports Network – Chicago leads the series 1-0
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, 7 pm on NBC – New York leads the series 1-0
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs, 9 pm on Peacock/NBC Sports Network – San Diego leads the series 1-0
WNBA PLAYOFFS
— The eighth-seed New York Liberty swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, winning 87-71 in Game 2 on Tuesday to advance to the WNBA semifinals. Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart each scored 21 points, while Sabrina Ionescu added 18 for New York. New York became the first eighth seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in WNBA playoff history. The Liberty will face the winner of Atlanta and Washington in the semifinals, which begin Sunday.
— Caitlin Clark scored 27 points and had 15 assists as the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 99-89 to even their WNBA playoff series at one game apiece. Clark became the first player in WNBA playoff history with a points-assists double-double in the first half, finishing the opening 20 minutes with 14 points and 11 assists. Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 31 points, while A’ja Wilson had 22. Game 3 is Thursday in Las Vegas, with the winner advancing to the semifinals.
WNBA PLAYOFFS – WEDNESDAY
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream, 6 pm on ESPN – Atlanta leads the series 1-0
Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries, 8 pm on ESPN – Golden State leads the series 1-0
NBA
— The NBA is reviewing bids from three finalist groups for an expansion team in Las Vegas, with sources saying the winning bid could cost at least $12 to $13 billion for the franchise and a new arena. The NBA is expected to approve two expansion teams, with Las Vegas and Seattle targeted as potential markets as soon as the 2028-29 season. A formal approval process is expected by the end of December.
NFL
— Baltimore’s 34-31 victory over Dallas in Brazil on Sunday averaged 24.9 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched NFL international game in history. The audience peaked at more than 30 million during the final moments, when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop made a 56-yard field goal on the last play. It was also CBS’ most-watched Week 3 game since 2014. Seven more international games are scheduled this season.
— Former NFL WR Antonio Brown is scheduled to appear in a Miami courtroom Wednesday to accept a plea deal in an attempted murder case. Brown is expected to plead no contest to a reduced charge of aggravated assault and receive probation, avoiding prison time. Brown is accused of taking a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in May 2025 and firing two shots at a man involved in an earlier fight.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
— The Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22, but the bill still faces hurdles in the House. Some Republicans say it does not provide enough protection for the NCAA, while Democrats have raised concerns about athlete rights. The House is not scheduled to return until after the midterm elections. If passed, the bill would increase the NCAA’s revenue-sharing cap from $21.5 million to $48.8 million. If it fails, college conferences could pursue their own rules on revenue sharing and transfers.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL – TUESDAY
Parkston 3, McCook Central/Montrose 2 – The Trojans won the fifth set 15-6.
Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 3, Platte-Geddes 1
Wagner 3, Kimball/White Lake 0 – The Red Raiders improved to 15-4 on the season.
Bridgewater-Emery 3, Ethan 0 – The Huskies improve to 16-2 on the season.
Freeman 3, Hanson 0
Corsica-Stickney 3, Wessington Springs 0
Highmore-Harrold 3, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 0
Viborg-Hurley 3, Scotland 1
James Valley Christian 3, Mitchell Christian 1
Burke 3, Tripp-Delmont/Armour 0
No. 1 Harrisburg 3, SF Roosevelt 0
No. 3 Brandon Valley 3, No. 2 Sioux Falls Lincoln 2 – The Lynx won the final three sets 25-19, 25-22, 15-11.
No. 4 Watertown 3, Yankton 0
SF Washington 3, Huron 1
SOUTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – WEEK 6 – OCT. 2
Class 11AAA
1. Sioux Falls Jefferson vs. Omaha Westview (Neb.)
2. Brandon Valley vs. 3. Harrisburg
4. O’Gorman vs. SF Washington
5. Sioux Falls Lincoln at Rapid City Stevens
SF Roosevelt vs. Rapid City Central
Class 11AA
1. Pierre vs. Huron
2. Tea Area vs. Brookings
3. Watertown vs. Mitchell
4. Yankton at 5. Spearfish
Aberdeen Central vs. Sturgis
Douglas vs. Belle Fourche
Class 11A
1. Sioux Falls Christian at 4. Madison
2. Lennox at 3. West Central
5. Dell Rapids vs. Vermillion
Class 11B
1. Elk Point-Jefferson vs. Sioux Valley
2. St. Thomas More vs. Custer
3. Clark/Willow Lake at Mobridge-Pollock
4. Winner vs. Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central
5. Deuel vs. Groton Area
Wagner at Mt. Vernon/Plankinton
McCook Central/Montrose vs. Beresford
Class 9AA
1. Parkston vs. Bon Homme
2. Platte-Geddes vs. Kimball/White Lake – Q107.3
3. Hamlin at Webster Area
4. Viborg-Hurley vs. Garretson
5. Britton-Hecla
Hanson vs. Baltic
Corsica-Stickney vs. Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian
Class 9A
1. Freeman at Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan
2. Castlewood at Elkton-Lake Benton
3. Sully Buttes vs. Herreid-Selby Area
4. Centerville vs. Gayville-Volin
5. Timber Lake vs. North Central
Alcester-Hudson vs. Howard
Burke vs. Scotland-Menno
Class 9B
1. Dell Rapids St. Mary at Irene-Wakonda
2. Wall vs. New Underwood
3. Warner
4. Avon vs. 5. Colman-Egan