SIOUX FALLS -- University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Head Coach Tavia Rutherford has announced the signings of Paige Hillman of Hudson, Wisc., and Ashley Tackett of Omaha, Neb., who will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF.
 
Hillman joins USF after a prep career as one of Wisconsin's top golfers. A two sport standout at Hudson High School, she excelled on the golf course and also in gymnastics. A three-time first team All-Big Rivers Conference selection (2018-20) in golf, Hillman was named to the third team All-State Girls Golf Team in Wisconsin in 2019. She was selected the Big River Conference Girls Golf Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
 
"We are extremely excited to add Paige Hillman to our Cougar golf family. She has won multiple conference titles (golf & gymnastics) as well as her conference's Player of the Year honors twice in golf," said USF Head Women's Golf Coach Tavia Rutherford. "She's an awesome fit for our culture and I know she will be able to come in right away and make an impact in the NSIC. Her passion for the game, work ethic, and positive attitude will be a great addition to our program. I look forward to what she can accomplish here at USF in the future," added Rutherford.  
 
During 2019 and 2020, Hillman won the Big Rivers Conference medalist honors. In 2020, she led Hudson High to an unbeaten regular season and the school's first conference title in 10 years. She was 14^th in the state in golf in 2019, shooting a 162 with rounds of 87 and 75. She had a nine-hole average of 40.1 an 18-hole mark of 81.1 in 2020.
 
In gymnastics, the daughter of Brian and Michelle Hillman, was first-team all-conference in 2018 and 2019. She won the conference gymnastics individual honors in both 2018 and 2019. In 2018, she placed 10^th at Wisconsin State Gymnastics Meet and captured 11^th place in 2019.  
 
Active at Hudson High, she was a member of the National Honors Society in 2018-2021, Academic Achievement Award winner in 2014-20, Big Rivers Academic All-Conference from 2018-20 and recipient of the High School Coaches Award from 2017-19.  Hillman, who plays the piano, is involved in 60 hours of community service for the National Honors Society. At USF, Hillman, who has a brother, Brandon, plans to major in biology at USF.
 
Tackett, who attended Elkhorn South High School, won the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year in 2019. A four-year letter winner, she placed 14^th at the Class A Nebraska State tourney as a senior. She led Elkhorn South to second place in the Metro Conference both as a junior and senior. Twice, Tackett led her team to the Nebraska State A tournament and finished with an 18-hole scoring average of 84.0 as a senior.
 
An Academic Letter recipient as a junior, she is the daughter of Rebecca and Mike Hackett with a brother, Brandon, and sister, Jessica. At USF, she plans to study psychology.
 
"We are stoked to have Ashley Tackett join the Cougar golf family. The first time I spoke with her I knew that she'd be a great fit for our culture and our golf program," said Rutherford. "As the 2019 Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year, she knows what it takes to win and loves the game of golf. Her understanding of both the physical and mental aspect of the game will serve our team well in the future. I'm excited to see her take her game to the next level during her time at USF."

Hillman and Tackett join a talented USF women's golf program that finished in the top two (team standings) in three of six tournaments with a team win at the Augustana Invite before their 2019-20 season ended early due to the COVID-19 situation.