VERMILLION, S.D. -- Matt Houk, the head volleyball coach at The University of South Dakota, has announced that three student-athletes will join the Coyote volleyball program starting in the fall of 2009.
The three student-athletes include; Abby Winkels of Watertown, S.D., Stephanie Kroeze of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Ashley Dorale of Mitchell, S.D.
Winkels is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who has been part of an outstanding program at Watertown High School. She was a three-year letterwinner and helped her team to two state tournament appearances and two regional championships. She was named academic all-state, was an all-conference honoree, and was chosen as an alternate for the all-star volleyball game. Winkels finished her high school career with 443 kills and 109 blocks. She was also a letterwinner in track and basketball and received the outstanding female athlete award.
"Abby brings some more length into our middle blocking position," said Houk. "In high school she played in a system that relied heavily on the attack from the middle, which coincides well with our program philosophy. I think she is just scratching the surface of her talent, so I am expecting her to make big strides early in her career."
Kroeze is a 5-foot-8 outside hitter from Roosevelt High School. Kroeze helped her team earn the 2006 and 2008 State AA Championship title while also earning a third place finish in 2007. She was named to the All-City team, first team All-Conference, first team All-State and was named to the 2008 All-Tournament team. Kroeze was a three-year starter and letterwinner on the volleyball team where she finished fourth in school history for kills (703) and second in digs (805).
"Steph is an extremely competitive player," Houk said. "She is a tough nosed, gritty outside hitter who knows how to win. She comes out of the highly touted Roosevelt program, which is coming off of a state championship. That winning attitude is very important to us continuing our winning tradition that we set last season."
Dorale is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Mitchell High School. She was a letterwinner in volleyball and basketball while also being the team captain for volleyball. Dorale earned the most valuable player award and most inspirational award and was chosen to play in the South Dakota All-Star game. As a senior, Dorale had 99 kills, 18 blocks and 109 digs, in a injury shortened season.
"Ashley is a strong, athletic volleyball player," said Houk. "We see her moving from her middle blocker position that she has played in high school to one of the pins. She comes from a very structured program at Mitchell High School, where Coach Thill does a great job. I think Ashley will make a seamless transition into our program."
Winkels, Kroeze and Dorale join a 2009 Coyote volleyball class that includes Jillian Fields of Naperville, Ill.; Bailey Reshel of Hortonville, Wis., Kimberlee Bulaga of Crystal Lake, Ill., Taylor Russell of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Mallory Mork of Sac City, Iowa.
