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Trojan Volleyball signs eight recruits
July 29, 2010
Second-year DSU volleyball head coach Amy Veenhof is proud to announce the 2010 signings to join the Trojan volleyball team this fall. The 2010 recruiting class is made up of Mandi Atkins, Mandy Baxa, Shayna Dwyer, Mandy Frogner, Lauren LaBar, Emma Murtha, Marisa Shigetomi and Sam Weber.
Mandi Atkins is a 5'3" libero from T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, S.D. She was named All-Conference honorable mention in 2009. Atkins received team's Most Valuable Player honor in her freshman and sophomore seasons. She has an impressive career high 40 digs in a match.
"Mandi is a great competitor and we are excited to watch her develop as a Trojan." stated Veenhof. "She is quick and reads well. Mandi will be a big help to us defensively."
Mandi is the daughter of Kevin and Brenda Atkins. She will pursue a degree in Accounting at DSU.
Mandy Baxa, 6'0" middle/outside hitter, will be a solid addition to the 2010 squad. A four-year letter winner and team captain for two years at Burke High School, Baxa recorded 1040 kills, 281 blocks, 140 service aces and 1107 digs during her prep career. She was also a three-time All-Conference pick and received Academic All-State honors.
Baxa chose to pursue volleyball as a collegiate sport despite her success in basketball and track. Baxa scored 1000 points and was a four-year All-Conference selection as well as the team's Most Valuable Player for three years in basketball. In track, she holds the high jump, shot put and discus throw team records and qualified for state four straight years.
"Mandy versatility on offense as well as her athleticism fits well into our volleyball scheme. She has a good vertical and fast arm swing and will definitely push for playing time as either a middle hitter or an outside hitter," said Veenhof. "We are really looking forward to working with Mandy next year and glad that she has made the decision to be a Trojan."
Mandy is the daughter of Dan and Cheryl Baxa. She will major in Elementary Education and Special Education at Dakota State University.
Shayna Dwyer, a 5'11" right-side hitter, is from Elmwood, Neb. She was a three-sport athlete, excelling in volleyball, basketball and track. Dwyer was a four-year letter winner in all three sports at Elmwood-Murdock High School. She will join both the volleyball and basketball teams at DSU. Dwyer was a co-captain on her high school volleyball team in her senior year and was selected as All-Conference. In addition, she received Academic All-State honors for two years.
"Shayna is a great student and a great athlete," added Veenhof. "She is definitely the type of player we are trying to recruit to our program. I'm very excited to watch her develop as she makes transitions to playing volleyball at the collegiate level."
Dakota State University was an ideal fit for Dwyer as both her mother (Cyndi) and her father (Paul) are both DSU alumnus. Shayna plans to study Business Education at DSU.
Mandy Frogner, 5'11" right-side hitter from Milbank, S.D., will be a solid addition to the 2010 squad. She was a member of one of the top high school volleyball programs in South Dakota, which made to the state tournament eight times in the last ten years. Frogner helped her team to 2009 State Class 'A' runner-up honors. She earned a spot on the South Dakota Class 'A' All-Tournament team. Frogner had an impressive season, averaging 4.51 kills per set and ending the season with 419 kills, 40 service aces and 30 blocks. She was named to All-Conference in her junior and senior seasons.
"Mandy comes from a great high school volleyball program, and we are excited to have her joining us," said Veenhof. "She is extremely talented student-athlete that will fit perfectly at our university and as a member of the Trojan volleyball program. She will have an immediate impact in our program."
Mandy is the daughter of Tom and Betty Frogner. She will pursue a degree in Exercise Science at Dakota State University.
Lauren LaBar is a 5'10" outside hitter from Wibaux, Mont. She is a transfer from Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D. In her career at BSC, LaBar was All-Conference for two years and was selected to Region XIII All-Tournament team this past season. She also received Academic All-American honors.
LaBar is a 2008 graduate of Wibaux County High School. She earned All-Conference honors for three years and was named to All-State in her senior year.
"I'm extremely excited to have Lauren join our program," stated Veenhof. "We needed someone to come in with experience to help us on the outside. She will immediately push for playing time."
Lauren is the daughter of Brad and Judy LaBar. Her intended major is Pre-Med at DSU.
Emma Murtha, a 5'10" middle hitter from Dimock, S.D., will be joining the 2010 Trojan squad. She was a three-year letter winner and a three-time All-Conference performer at Parkston High School. Murtha led her team in blocks, service aces and kills in 2009 season. She had a stellar high school career finishing with 620 kills, 187 service aces, 506 digs and 282 blocks.
"We are excited to have Emma join our volleyball team," said Veenhof. "She is a quality person and a good athlete whose best volleyball is ahead of her. Emma has a tremendous work ethic and is exactly the type of player I want in this program."
Emma is the daughter of Kevin and Becky Murtha. She plans to major in Exercise Science at Dakota State University.
Marisa Shigetomi is a 5'4" libero from Honolulu, Hawaii. She is a transfer from Northwest College in Powell, Wyo. Shigetomi was selected as the 2009 Northwest College volleyball team's most valuable player. She led the way defensively, averaging five digs per set for No. 11 ranked-NJCAA Division I team.
"I expect that she'll come in, compete hard and raise the level of play because of her attitude toward competition," stated Veenhof. "Marisa is a very confident and poised player. She has a lot of experience and comes from a very competitive program. She will come in and push our back court to be more consistent out of service reception."
Marisa is the daughter of Keith and Ann Shigetomi. She plans to pursue a degree in Graphic Design at DSU.
Sam Weber is a 5'6" setter and defensive specialist from Parkston High School in Parkston, S.D. She was a two-year team captain, letter winner and team's Most Valuable Player. Weber was also a two-time All-Conference selection. She tallied 412 assists, 54 service aces, 118 digs and 32 blocks.
"Sam has an awesome work ethic. She will be a great addition t our team," stated Veenhof. "We are really looking forward to working with Sam and glad that she has made the decision to be a Trojan."
Sam is the daughter of Brad and Paula Weber. She plans to major in education at Dakota State University.
The Trojan volleyball team will report to fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 14. The Trojans open their 2010 campaign on the weekend of Aug. 27-28 as they compete in the Grand View (IA) tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information.
