VERMILLION, S.D. — South Dakota head volleyball coach Leanne Williamson is pleased to announce the signings of Gabi Zachariasen and Chloe Kmiecik to the 2026 roster. 
 
"I would like to welcome Gabi, Chloe, and their families to the Coyote family!  These two student-athletes will be a great addition to an already wonderful group," said Williamson. "They are skilled volleyball players who will help us continue our tradition of success, but they are also great people and will fit in with our culture immediately.  They have both played at a very high level, which will help them make the transition to the college game quickly.  I know that Coyote Nation is going to love watching them play!" 
 
Gabi Zachariasen | Outside Hitter | Harrisburg, S.D. | Harrisburg HS
The two-time Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year, Gabi Zachariasen, has helped lead Harrisburg High School to three straight SD Class AA State Championships, and put together back-to-back undefeated seasons in 2023 and 2024. Zachariasen was a South Dakota Class AA All-State, State All-Tournament Team and Metro All-Conference selection as a sophomore and junior in 2023 and 2024. She was a 2024 MaxPreps All-America Second Team selection and MaxPreps Junior All-America Team. Zachariasen set a Harrisburg single-season school record with 529 kills in her sophomore season and has over 1,700 kills in her career. In 2023, Midco Sports named her as its South Dakota AA Player of the Year, VolleyballMag.com named her the South Dakota Player of Year and the Argus Leader announced her as the Super Six Player of the Year. She is the No. 1 ranked recruit in South Dakota and No. 92 nationally by PrepDig. Zachariasen played club volleyball for Kairos Volleyball. 
 
"Gabi is an explosive and physical 6-rotation outside hitter with a heavy arm!  She has the ability to hit with a tremendous amount of range, and score in many different ways," said Williamson. "In addition, she plays the whole game well with her blocking, serve receive and defense.  Gabi is an extremely competitive player who knows how to win at every level, and I am confident that she will make a tremendous impact on this program."
 
Chloe Kmiecik | Middle Blocker | Shawnee, Kan. | De Soto HS
The three-time All-United Kansas Conference selection, Chloe Kmiecik, has been a force at the net in her time at De Soto High School. In her senior season, Kmiecik ranks No. 1 in Kansas 5A in hitting percentage, No. 2 in kills and No. 3 in blocks. In 2025, she has recorded 332 kills for a 3.8 kills per set average on a .446 hitting percentage, 91 blocks for a 1.0 blocks per set average and has 34 aces. Kmiecik was a UKC All-Conference First Team selection in her junior season and also competes in basketball and track and field for the Wildcats. She played club volleyball for KC Power Volleyball and competed in the 2025 USAV Girls Junior Ope National Championship.
 
"Chloe is a middle that will be an exceptional addition to an already deep group," said Williamson. "She has the length and IQ that helps her defend at a high level with her block.  Chloe also has the ability to run multiple routes effectively as a middle, which will help her attack with range within our system.  Her competitiveness will certainly help raise the level of that position right away, and I am excited to watch her compete as a Coyote!"
 
Zachariasen will enroll at South Dakota in January, while Kmiecik will enroll in the fall of 2026.