Ashlyn Koupal was recently named the South Eastern South Dakota (SESD) All-Conference Most Valuable Player. Koupal is a 6’3” sophomore that plays the guard/forward position for the Red Raiders. She has been playing varsity for the Lady Raiders for the past four years, a part of the team as a seventh grader.

Ashlyn started playing basketball at a very young age. Her earliest basketball memory would be playing with her sister, Macy, on a mini hoop. With both of her parents being basketball coaches, it was inevitable for Ashlyn to become part of the game. She grew up in the gym watching and looking up to the older girls that inspired her to want to get out on the court herself and start playing. Her basketball role models include Ali Kuca and Ciara Duffy. When Ashlyn was the water girl for the high school basketball team, she would follow Ali around and watch her play. Ashlyn really admired Ali’s shooting and wanted to be able to be like her. Ciara Duffy from USD was also a huge role model for Ashlyn and the reason that Ashlyn wears the 24 jersey for the Raiders.

Having her dad as her head coach and mom as an assistant coach can sometimes be frustrating and end in butting heads, but at the end they all want the same thing, to win. She really does enjoy how involved her parents are with the basketball team. At the end of the day, they are always on the same team and just trying to help one another out. Basketball is a big part of life at the Koupal household. There will be nights when they sit and watch film or talk about basketball and what Ashlyn could improve upon or areas that the team needs to change. For Ashlyn it is really special to be able to do all this with her dad, Michael.

When asked what she enjoys about basketball, Ashlyn said it is the competitive aspect of the sport. Ashlyn feels that she is a very competitive person and enjoys competing. She also enjoys being able to play with not only with her friends, but her sister, Macy. Shooting three pointers are a passion for Ashlyn, but her favorite shot would have to be a mid-post fade away. Depending on the opposing teams’ matchups, Ashlyn plays whatever position her dad and head coach, Michael Koupal, tells her to. Ashlyn is happy to play wherever she is needed and where it will be best for her and her teammates to be successful.

Even though Ashlyn loves to block shots, she would have to say that she enjoys playing offense just because it is the more fun part of the game. It is not just the scoring aspect of offense that Ashlyn enjoys, but the assists, celebrating with her teammates after a huge three or an AND 1. This was also a special season for Ashlyn as it was her sister, Macy’s, senior season. Getting to play with her sister during Macy’s final season was a lot of fun. Ashlyn feels that both her and Macy grew this season both on and off the court. The sisters pushed each other in hopes of making each other better.

Although Ashlyn is only a sophomore, she already has quite a list of basketball accomplishments and accolades. They include 2x Class A All Tournament team, 2x Class A All-State first team, LMVC All Conference (freshman and sophomore years), SESD All Conference (eighth grade, freshman, sophomore years), SESD All Conference MVP, Mitchell Republic Player of the Year (2023) and Yankton Press & Dakota Athlete of the Year (2023). Her all-time highest scoring in a game happened this 2023-2024 season when Ashlyn scored 37 points. Ashlyn’s favorite game of the season was against Centerville. Centerville was ranked number one in Class B and the team knew it would be a huge game. The game was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but the team came together and ended up with a win.

Ashlyn has already started getting ready for next year’s season. In the offseason, she plans to focus on getting stronger, developing her left hand more and trying to get quicker. Ashlyn will be playing with the Sanford Basketball Academy which will allow her to travel and play against some very talented competition. She has even started thinking about next year’s team goals. The end goal for next season will be to make it to the state tournament. This offseason, Ashlyn plans to try to get more people and her teammates in the gym every week in order to try to help every person improve and bring more to the team next year.

Ashlyn is the daughter of Michael and Tera Koupal. When she is not busy with school or extra-curricular activities, she enjoys spending time with friends and having fun.

Ashlyn would like to thank everyone, especially her parents for all of their scarifies. She would not be where she is without the coaches that have pushed her every day in practice and who cannot only hold her accountable but be friends also. She would like to thank Hunter Hewitt, who literally pushed her every day at practice in order to help her improve her game. She is thankful for her teammates who push her in practice and the community for all of their support. Ashlyn hopes that like Ali Kuca was for her, that she will be inspiring for the younger kids of Wagner. A final thank you to her sister, Macy, who has pushed her to get better since she was little and for being the reason why Ashlyn is who she is today. Lastly, Ashlyn gives glory to God in all that she does.

Congratulations Ashlyn on a great 2023-2024 season. We cannot wait to see what other great things you will accomplish in your years to come at WCS.