SIOUX FALLS -- University of Sioux Falls Head Softball Coach Shannon Pivovar has announced the signings of six talented student-athletes as part of National Signing Day. The six freshmen will continue their academic and athletic careers by enrolling at USF in the fall of 2021.

"The Cougar family got better today," said Pivovar. "The 2021 class brings high-level championship experience, awesome students in the classroom, and fantastic families that we cannot wait to join with our current crew. These six have thrived through a tough CoVID time and we are so excited to bring their big-time athleticism and personalities to Sioux Falls."

The members of the 2021 class include Nyleigh Carbaugh, outfielder, Elkhorn, Neb.; Jayden Haley, outfielder, Gretna, Neb.; Reese Holzhueter, catcher/outfielder, Shakopee, Minn.; Rylie Jones, infielder, Yutan, Neb.; Bailee Lampman, pitcher, Papillion, Neb.; and Taryn Wagner, utility, Central City, Neb.

Nyleigh Carbaugh, Outfielder, Elkhorn, Neb./Elkhorn High School

Nyleigh Carbaugh joins the Cougar family after wrapping up her high school career at Elkhorn High School. An outfielder who has a cannon for an arm also swings a big bat. A three-time varsity letter winner, she helped lead her team to the Nebraska State Tournament from her sophomore through senior seasons. She was honored with Omaha World Herald Second Team Class B honors in the DP position following the 2020 season. Carbaugh also participated in track (100 meter dash, 4-by-100 meter relay, long jump and triple jump), and tennis in high school. A member of the Nebraska Gold summer organization, Nyleigh and her parents Tim and Tanya Harvey will join the USF family next fall. Nyleigh plans to major in business at USF and go into interior design.

Coach Pivovar on Carbaugh: "I am excited to see how high Nyleigh's ceiling will be here at USF. She has been a key cog for competitive teams and thrives when she is having fun and working hard. Those two things will fit right into the direction we are moving this team on the field. She is fun and creative and has proven to be a very caring teammate – so we know she will come in and mold with our family very well. We cannot wait to welcome her and her family to our Cougar family!"

Jayden Haley, Outfielder, Gretna, Neb./Gretna High School

A true centerfielder, Jayden Haley joins the family after a standout career at Gretna (Neb.) High School. A staple in center field, Haley was also a multi-year All-Conference Academic team member, a National Honors Society inductee, involved with HOSA and the Dragons Honor Roll. She is involved with the American Legion Fish Fry, volunteered at Wildlife Encounters and did concessions/score keeping at youth games. Haley brings a high softball IQ to the diamond. As a member of the Nebraska Quakes Prime Voisin 18u summer team, Jayden's favorite softball memory was propelling her summer team to an extra-inning win at the Goliath in Kansas by hitting a home run to straight away centerfield. The daughter of Jason and Erin Haley, the future orthopedic surgeon is planning to major in pre-med at USF.

Coach Pivovar on Haley: "Jayden is an incredibly well-rounded student-athlete who will come in and instantly have an impact on our family. In the outfield, I have seen her cover ground and cut off balls in the gap that many outfielders wouldn't, and at the plate she combines speed and power for a multi-tool player. She is driven and dedicated to giving 100% at all times, reflected in the way she goes about her daily life, her academics, her athletics, and just being a good human. I am very excited that Jayden and her family are joining our USF family!"

Reese Holzhueter, Catcher/Outfielder, Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee High School

A standout leader on the softball field, Reese Holzhueter brings a big bat and high softball IQ to the Cougar family. As a sophomore, Holzhueter finished with a .618 slugging percentage for the Sabers, and with her junior season cancelled due to Covid-19 and her senior season up in the air (spring/summer 2021), she has played most of her competitive ball with her Minnesota Starters Smyth travel team. Holzhueter finished last summer hitting .367 with eight doubles, 16 RBI and caught 70% of runners stealing. A lefty who brings a lot of power to the squad, she and her parents Tim and Elisa will join the Cougar family next fall. Reese plans to major in criminal justice at USF and hopes to find a job within law or the justice systems, while also giving back to the game and coaching softball!

Coach Pivovar on Holzhueter: "From the first time I met with Reese on campus I felt that she would be a perfect fit for the University of Sioux Falls family. She is hard-working, caring, dedicated, studious and gives back. On the field, Reese brings a big lefty swing to the lineup and a strong arm behind the dish. She is athletic and can move into the outfield if needed and she is a great teammate. Reese and her family will be a great addition to the USF family!"

Rylie Jones, Infielder, Yutan, Neb./Millard North High School

Rylie Jones brings a wealth of athleticism to the Cougar family, joining the team after finishing her prep career with the Millard North Mustangs and travel ball with the Nebraska Gold organization. Jones finished as a multi-year Omaha World Herald All-State honoree – including Honorable Mention in 2020. An All-Area performer in high school, she her career at Yutan High School before transferring to play for the Mustangs. She wrapped up her senior season with a .375 batting average, driving in 18 runs and scoring 21 runs. The daughter of Greg and Jill Jones, she also played basketball and ran track. She is looking to major in business administration at USF and would like to be a CEO of a company one day.

Coach Pivovar on Jones: "Rylie has only continued to grow the more that she is playing the game of softball. She has raw athleticism and makes plays that many others wouldn't because she sets herself up to beat the ball. She can cover the 5/6 hole and range up the middle, throw on the run or sit back and fire. Off the field, Rylie is a great teammate and fun to be around. She is constantly smiling and has a lot of energy. I cannot wait for her to get up to campus and start polishing her skill-set! We are glad that she and her family are Cougars!"

Bailee Lampman, Pitcher, Papillion, Neb./Papillion LaVista High School

A three-time Nebraska high school state champion, Bailee Lampman brings a wealth of competitiveness and passion for the game of softball, coupled with a fun personality to the Cougar family. The pitcher (and fill-in second baseman) has been named to the Omaha World Herald honorable mention team and has earned All-Academic honors. During her senior season (2020), she was also named to the All-Metro Coaches Team, All-Academic Team and the Papillion Softball Hall of Fame. Lampman, who participates in community service around the Papillion (Neb.) community, is a teammate of fellow signee Jayden Haley on the Nebraska Quakes Voisin. The daughter of Larry and Julie Lampman, she plans to major in Elementary Education/Special Education with a goal of teaching kindergarten or K-6 special education.

Coach Pivovar on Lampman: "Bailee was one the first 2021 graduate to decide she wanted to join the Cougar family, and I believe it helped shape the remainder of the class. She is compassionate and kind to everyone she meets, but in the circle she bears down and competes for herself and her teammates. She isn't afraid of a batter when she is in that circle and I am so excited for her to be a part of our staff. Bailee and her family will be great additions to the USF family and I am glad they all chose USF!"

Taryn Wagner, Utility, Central City, Neb./Central City High School

Taryn Wagner joins the Cougar family as a very well-rounded individual. She is a leader for her state qualifying softball team, an Academic All-State member, part of the National Honors Society, involved of community service, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Central City standout holds records for doubles in a game, singles in a career, hits in a career, and ranks second all-time in stolen bases. She is a multi-year Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald All-Conference, All-Heartland and All-State performer. She finished her career as Second Team All-State at the DP. Wagner closed her senior season with the MVP award as she hit .500 with a .538 OBP, 35 RBI and 50 runs scored. The daughter of Trent and Kim Wagner, she plans to major in nursing and Spanish at USF with the goal of becoming a neonatal nurse.

Coach Pivovar on Wagner: "Taryn brings probably the vastest skill-set and athleticism out of this signing class. She was a high school pole vaulter, part of the Central City basketball team, and holds numerous school and Class C state records. She is a terrific person off the diamond, well-rounded and active in her faith, her academics, and enjoys those around her. We are so excited she is a Cougar – I am so excited to see her grow! Taryn and her family are going to be a wonderful addition to our USF family!"