SIOUX FALLS -- University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Head Coach Joel McCartney today announced the signing of three student-athletes, who will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF. 

Building on the momentum of USF Volleyball's best season at NCAA DII, McCartney has signed a total of 11 recruits during the fall of 2018 and spring of 2019. After signing eight student-athletes last fall, McCartney continued to build the talent pool at USF with a group this spring which includes Defensive Specialist Allie Maloney of Winfield, Ill.; Outside Hitter Madison Wasskink of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Outside Hitter Brooklynne Albrecht of Kihei, Hawaii.
 
This trio of talented newcomers joins a class that includes Setter/Defensive Specialist Grace Gilles of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Outside Hitter Nicole Jacobson of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; Setter/Defensive Specialist Marlee Schneider of Custer, S.D.; Outside Hitter Adrianna Smith of Marquette, Neb.; Defensive Specialist Avery Elfering of Danube, Minn.; Middle Blocker Grace Marti of Willmar, Minn; Outside Hitter Hayley Fox of Saint Paul, Neb.; and Outside/Opposite Hitter Riley Robbe of Bentonville, Ark.

 

"We are all very excited about the 2019 class of athletes and their families becoming a part of our Cougar program," said USF eighth-year head coach Joel McCartney, who directed USF to a 20-10 record and its first-ever "top-four finish," of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Postseason Volleyball Tournament in 2018. "We have added an incredible amount of depth and talent to the program and know that our every-day training will be greatly enhanced as a result. I believe we have an extraordinary blend of potential and experience in this class and these three athletes are a perfect complement to an already very talented group," said McCartney, whose 2018 team also recorded a program-high 14 league victories and was ranked sixth in the final poll of the NCAA Central Region.
 
Allie Maloney, 5-6, Defensive Specialist, Winfield, Ill. / Wheaton North High School
A three-year starting libero at Emporia State from 2016-18, she will have one season left at USF. The daughter of Kim and Steve Maloney, she registered 1,691 digs and 69 aces at ESU. She set an Emporia State program match record of 46 digs against Central Oklahoma in 2018. Named All-MIAA team in 2016 and 2018, she was named a MIAA's "Defensive Specialist of the Week" in 2016 and 2018. She is a two-time AAU Junior National Tournament All-American in 2014-15.
 
"Allie is a great athlete with mature skills and a great deal of competitive experience at the college level," said McCartney. "She has the ability to take over a match on the defensive end of the game and come up with some pretty big plays.  She is also very strong at the service line and has the ability to place a lot of pressure on the opponents serve receive game.  The greatest attribute is Allie's get-after-it mentality which will add to a pretty competitive every day training environment," he said.

 

Madison Wasskink, 6-0, Outside Hitter, Sioux Falls, S.D./Harrisburg High School
A transfer from Minnesota State Moorhead, Wasskink will have three years of eligibility remaining. The daughter of Jamie and Heath Wasskink, she started at outside hitter for MSUM as a freshman and accumulated 152 kills, 22 block, 86 digs and had 168.5 points for the Dragons in 2018. At Harrisburg HS, she was a two-year starter in 2016-17 where was all-conference. A team captain as a senior, she helped lead the Tigers to a state AA title in 2016.

  "Madi had a great freshman season with MSUM, but she wanted to transfer back to a local program and get closer to home," said McCartney. "We were thrilled when she contacted us and eventually decided to join our CooFam! I believe she will fit perfectly with our program culture and bring us additional experience as well as great athletic ability and six-rotation skills.  We have worked hard to get the attention of local athletes and their families so, it's great to see another South Dakota player on our roster."
 
Brooklynne Albrecht, 6-0  Opposite Hitter, Kihei, Hawaii/King Kekaulike HS

A three-year starter at two different high schools Albrecht was a standout outside hitter at Alexandria (Minn.) Area High School and as a junior and senior at King Kekualike High School in Maui, Hawaii. The daughter of Kelly and Curt Albrecht, she helped lead her team to the Hawaii State Tournament in 2017 and 2018. She led her team to the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championship in 2018. She also played for the Hawaiian Style Volleyball Club from 2017-19 and for the Aloha Region High Performance program in 2018.
 
"Brooklynne is a strong athlete who brings a next-level potential to our court," said McCartney. "She is an explosive 'left-handed' opposite pin and she has the potential to play six-rotations in our system.  She is also adept in attacking the left pin. Her versatility will be an asset for us.  I believe her competitiveness and immediate skill-set will add incredible depth to the opposite position and add to the overall strength of our 2019 roster," he said.