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2009 Signed Recruits
Cynthia Henning, head volleyball coach, has released the 2009 signings for Dakota State University Volleyball. The ’09 class is comprised of seven athletes with South Dakota, Wyoming, and Missouri represented. The 2009 recruiting class is made up of Taylor Brown, Katie Green, Jenna Lancaster, Matilyn Salva, Shelby Tollefson, Stephanie Uher, and Jennifer Wepking.
Taylor Brown, a 5’9” middle/outside hitter from Buffalo, SD. Brown was a key element in taking the Harding County Ranchers to the 2008 state tournament. She was a team captain and has been a four year letter winner for the Ranchers. Brown is also active in school as a member of Student Council and also the National Honor Society. According to Coach Henning, “Taylor is a just a hard working, very focused player.
One of her strengths is that she has played both middle and outside so she has a strong understanding of the game. She also works very, very hard at making herself better and continually challenges herself on the court and off. She is a great addition to our program.” Taylor is the daughter of Tim and Tracy Brown and will pursue a graphic design degree.
Katie Green is a 5’5” libero/defensive specialist that graduated from Wright High School in 2008. She attended a semester at Northern State before transferring to Dakota State at semester. “It’s great to have Katie her for spring workouts as that will be a definite benefit to her and the team. She had a solid high school career.”
Green was a four year starter and set four volleyball records (most aces, most assists, most assists in a match, and most assists in a career) during her prep play at Wright High School. She was a team captain her junior and senior seasons and was All Conference Honorable Mention. Katie is the daughter of Mike Green and Anne Zollinger and is pursuing an elementary education degree.
Jenna Lancaster, a T.F. Riggs High School product, will be a solid addition to the 2009 squad. Lancaster is a 6’0” outside/middle that helped lead her team to the 2008 Class AA Runner Up trophy. “Lancaster,” said Coach Henning, “has a lot of potential and is a very good fit for our university and our volleyball program. She has great height and has a very nice arm swing that many times has allowed her to get up and over blockers that were defending her.
An additional bonus for us is that Jenna came to several of our volleyball camps during her high school career and so we have had a chance to work with her and watch her develop.” Jenna is the daughter of Rick and Debbie Lancaster; she will major in business or elementary education.
Matilyn Salva, a 5’9” setter from Sugar Creek, Missouri will be joining the 2009 Trojans. Salva is a good fit for the Trojan system and is expected to compete for the starting setter’s spot right away. “Obviously, one of Mati’s biggest assets is her size. She is a tall, athletic setter who did a great job communicating with our hitters on her visit and we are very excited by her choice of Dakota State,” said Coach Henning.
Salva has a combination of high school and club experience and has trained at the setter’s position for several years. During her prep career, Salva was also a member of the swim team and involved with various student organizations at William Chrisman High School. Salva is recognized in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, an avid musician, and was selected All Area Honorable Mention for volleyball. Salva will be majoring in graphic arts and is the daughter of Joe and Lora Salva.
Shelby Tollefson is a 5’6” defensive specialist/libero from Hitchcock-Tulare High School. Tollefson played outside hitter during her prep career but will make the transition to a more defensive minded position for the Trojans. “Shelby is very quick and explosive,” said Coach Henning, “being able to use that to our advantage is really going to pay off for us.”
Tollefson is a three sport athlete at Hitchcock-Tulare and has excelled in volleyball, basketball, and track. Tollefson may jump for the Trojan track team as well. Along with athletics Tollefson is involved with FFA and music at Hitchcock-Tulare.
Stephanie Uher a 5’7” outside hitter from Mitchell, South Dakota is another strong recruit for the Trojans. Uher has been selected to play in the All Star Games in Aberdeen in July and has been a volleyball and track athlete for the Mitchell Kernels. She has been selected All Conference and has a great amount of athleticism that the Trojans will be able to utilize.
“Steph is just a player that is a lot of fun to watch play,” said Coach Henning. “She has a great vertical and is able to get to a lot of balls that other players would not be able to get to. Along with her vertical she has a great swing. She is very explosive and very aggressive to the ball which are the traits that we want and look for in our outside hitters,” concluded Coach Henning.
“Another asset that Steph possesses is having been coached by one of the best prep coaches (Deb Thill) in the state; she has a very strong understanding of the game and all its elements along with a tremendous work ethic.” Uher is the daughter of Dean and Jeanette Uher and will be majoring in computer programming.
The final individual in the initial 2009 class for Dakota State is Jennifer Wepking, 5’11” middle from Avon, South Dakota. Wepking has an athletic built and will probably see action in both the middle and the outside hitting positions.
Wepking has competed for the Avon Pirates and has had a very successful prep career. “Jennifer has a great attitude and she works very hard at improving which are big stepping stones to success in the collegiate game,” said Coach Henning.
