SIOUX FALLS – University of Sioux Falls Head Softball Coach Shannon Pivovar announced on Monday (Feb. 17) the signing of Danielle Klenke, a utility player from Seward, Neb., to the 2020 recruiting class.

With the addition of Klenke, the Class of 2020 includes five student-athletes who will enroll at USF and begin classes in the fall of 2020 to continue their academic and athletic careers. The NCAA recruiting signing period opened last fall, which allowed student-athletes to sign with their respective programs.

"We are excited to welcome Danielle and her family to our USF softball family," said Coach Pivovar. "She is an athletic and well-rounded kid who is going to fit in perfectly with our growing family. Her ability to be flexible on the infield dirt or cover ground in the outfield makes her versatile and that is exactly what we need to fill in our 2020 class. We know she brings a great work ethic that will allow her to be successful at USF on and off the softball field," added Pivovar.

Klenke is a three-sport athlete from Seward, Neb., where she excelled in softball, basketball and track. Named Academic All-State in all three sports, she helped lead the Seward Softball Team to the state tournament where they placed third. Klenke, who plays for Nebraska Gold-Schaefer, hit .261 with 21 runs scored, 12 RBIs, a .337 on-base percentage, and 12 stolen bases in 2019.

In basketball, Klenke, a 5-8 forward, helped lead Seward to the Pioneer Conference title and a berth in the state tournament. In track, she was the runner-up in the 400 meters at both the Pioneer Conference Indoor and Outdoor Meets. She also qualified in the 400 meters for the Nebraska State Track Meet.

The daughter of Nathan and Tammy Klenke, she is heavily involved in community service. She helps with youth basketball and volunteers at the local hospital while also working on Red Cross blood drives. She plans to major in biology at USF.