SIOUX FALLS - Adding two six-footers to his lineup for the 2016 season, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Head Coach Joel McCartney announced the signing of Markie Miller of Brewster, Wash. and Karli Nielsen of Jordan, Minn. on Friday.

Miller, a 6-foot outside/right-side hitter, was a four-year letterwinner at Brewster High School in Brewster, Wash. and has plenty of accolades to indicate an excellent career ahead at USF. The daughter of Mark and Karol Miller, Markie earned three appointments to the Central Washington All-League first team and put together a senior year that earned her the honor of league MVP. She was named athlete of the week by the Seattle Times as a sophomore and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association athlete of the week as a junior, but she trumped both of those honors when she was selected as the Max Preps Volleyball National Player of the Week as a senior this past fall. Coach McCartney is confident Miller can come in and contribute to next year's team.

“Markie will fill the void of Michelle Ritland graduating and provides us with an immediate impact player at either the right of left pin,” McCartney said of Miller's presence on next year's team. “She has a really nice touch on the ball and I believe she could be a six-rotation player for us down the road. Markie is a strong-bodied athlete who hits the ball with a great velocity. She is also an extremely hard worker on the court and with her strength and conditioning.”

Nielsen, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker from Jordan, Minn., comes to USF after a record-setting career at Jordan High School. A four-year letterwinner, Nielsen finished her prep career ranked second in all-time blocks and fourth in all-time kills at JHS. Nielsen earned Minnesota River All-Conference honors as a junior and senior and recorded three seasons ranking in the top 15 of single season blocks at Jordan High School, including the third-most blocks in a season as a senior. The daughter of Gordy and Tami Nielsen, Karli is a member of the National Honor Society.

“Karli will add depth to our middle blocker position and gives us another big-sized athlete to develop for our future,” McCartney said on Nielsen's potential. “She had the ability to be a dominating force at the net, especially on the blocking side if she continues to grow into her athletic frame. When Karli arrives for fall camp, I expect her to be a full level above where she is right now; she's just growing that quickly!”

Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., the University of Sioux Falls is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.