Volleyball targets local talent for 2019 class

MITCHELL, S.D. – Following a season winning 10 of their first 11 games and missing out of the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament by less than one game, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team is preparing to take the next step in 2019. That step begins with the class of 2019 that head volleyball coach Lindsay Wilber announced Monday.

 "This group of student athletes are a committed bunch that will continue to add to our program's growth," Wilber said. "They are versatile and the future of DWU Tiger Volleyball." 

 Mackenzie Miller 

 Freshman, 5-11, Mitchell, S.D., Mitchell High School, Outside Hitter

 Miller finished her career with 1,159 kills, 1,095 digs, 135 blocks and 116 aces. She was a four-year starter for the Kernels and was the team's MVP from 2015-2017. She was a four-time All-Conference member and First Team All-State in 2016 and 2017. Miller holds the record for most kills in a season and a career at Mitchell. She was a finalist for the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and was named to the 2018 Under Armour Watch List in 2018. Miller was named the Daily Republic Female Athlete of the Year in 2016 and Volleyball Player of the Year in 2017. 

 Hannah Stogdill 

 Freshman, 5-8, Blair, Neb., Blair High School, Outside Hitter

 Stogdill was a three-year starter for the Bears as she recorded 362 kills, 407 digs and 81 aces in her career. She was a two-time All-Conference member and was named to the Nebraska Prep Dig Class 'B' and Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention Team. She was Eastern Midland All-Academic in 2017 and 2018 and was a member of the National Honor Society. 

 Allison Jamison 

 Freshman, 5-6, Sioux Falls, S.D., Sioux Falls Lincoln High School, Outside Hitter

 Jamison was a two-year starter for the Patriots and also played for the Pentagon Volleyball Club. She was named to the Metro All-Conference Honorable Mention Team in 2018 and was the Coca-Cola Unsung Hero Award winner. 

 Dannielle Burns 

 Freshman, 5-8, Raymond, Minn., MACCRAY High School, Defensive Specialist 

 The three-year starter finished her career with 888 digs, 557 kills and 123 aces. She was named to the Camden North All-Conference Honorable Mention Team in 2017 and received First Team All-Conference honors in 2018. Burns was a member of the National Honor Society and was a Business Professional of America State Qualifier two times. 

 Madeline Else 

 Freshman, 5-8, Holstein, Iowa, Ridge View High School, Setter

 Else set career totals with 1,626 assists, 354 digs, 191 kills and 137 blocks. She helped lead her team to conference championships in 2017 and 2018. She was a three-time member of the Western Valley Conference team and was named to Northwest Iowa region team in 2018. Else was a Storm Lake Times All-Area Team in 2017 and 2018 and was a recipient of the Hustler Award in 2016 and 2017. 

 Faith Tyler 

 Freshman, 5-7, Wagner, S.D., Wagner High School, Outside Hitter

 The multi-sport athlete was a three-time All-Conference Award Winner from 2016 to 2018. Tyler guided Wagner to four conference titles during her career. She was named to the South Dakota Class 'A' Second Team in 2017 and Class 'A' First Team in 2018. Tyler was also a South Dakota Future 40 Selection and played basketball and ran track for Wagner High School. 

 Mariah Gloe 

 Freshman, 5-10, Watertown, S.D., Watertown High School, Outside Hitter

 Gloe started three years for the Arrows and won an ESD Conference Championship in 2018. She was a two-time All-Conference Award Winner and helped the Arrows to consecutive state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018. She tallied 755 kills, 919 digs, 1,174 serve receptions, 162 blocks and a .919 serving percentage. Gloe was a member of the 2018 South Dakota Class 'AA' All-State Second Team and a member of the South Dakota Class 'AA' State Tournament Team in 2018. A South Dakota Future 40 Selection and a member of the National Honor Society. 

 Miah Kunkel 

 Freshman, 5-9, Adrian, Minn., Adrian High School, Outside Hitter

 Kunkel was a five-year starter for the Dragons and was a four-time All-Conference player. Kunkel recorded 716 kills, 465 digs, 96 aces and 124 blocks in her career. She guided her team to a conference title and a Section 3A runner-up finish in 2018. She received the Minnesota All-State Academic Award for three straight years. 

 Maddie Neely 

 Freshman, 5-5, Wessington Springs, S.D., Wessington Springs High School

 Neely was a three-year starter and collected team MVP awards in 2017 and 2018. In her career, she tallied 882 kills, 601 digs, 141 aces, 89 blocks and 35 assists. She was All-Conference First Team in 2018 and All-Conference Second Team in 2017. 

 Hope Bartmann 

 Freshman, 5-4, Montrose, S.D., McCook Central/Montrose High School, Defensive Specialist

 Bartmann joins the DWU volleyball team for the 2019 season after taking third place at the state volleyball tournament a season ago. She recorded 48 service aces and 195 digs on the season. She was named the team captain in volleyball and basketball. In 2015, she led her team to a fifth-place finish, while taking third in the 2018 state basketball tournament. Bartmann was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball and played basketball and ran track.