SMSU Athletics

Sara Graf (2006-09) was a four-year standout for the volleyball program embodying the spirit of a true student-athlete, excelling both on the court and in the classroom during her Mustang career. 

A native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Graf joined a program that was becoming a consistent winner at the national level and as a true freshman helped the program earn a then-school Division II record 27 victories in 2006.  

During her final three seasons, she led SMSU in assists each year and was named All-NSIC honorable mention in 2007 before earning All-NSIC first team honors in 2008. Her 1,671 assists in 2007 still ranks as the program single-season record. 

A member of four NCAA tournament teams, Graf contributed significantly to the program’s sustained success, helping the Mustangs to a combined 106-31 overall record, including 60-16 in conference play during her four seasons. One of her most impressive achievements came during the 2008 season, when she set the team’s single-match record with a staggering 73 assists versus MSU Moorhead. 

Graf’s intelligence and work ethic did not go unnoticed, as she was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection (2007, 2008, 2009) and capped her career earning a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-American second team in 2009, a prestigious honor recognizing her excellence in both academics and athletics. 

By the end of her collegiate career, Graf had etched her name in the program’s history books. She finished with a school-record 4,348 assists, averaging 11.2 assists per set, while ranking 12th in school history with 117 service aces.