SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team along with head coach Dan Mathews is proud to announce the addition of four student-athletes to their 2024 roster.

 

"Our class of 2024 brings a lot of size and athleticism to the program. This group introduces a huge competitive element to the gym and they're ready to take ownership of that role. I'm excited to see how they elevate the training environment and push the returning players," stated Mathews. "Most importantly, our 2024 recruits are the type of people that other people want to be around. Each of them has a magnetic personality - they're going to represent our program extraordinarily well in the NSIC, the USF community, and to our future recruits. This group epitomizes the selflessness and commitment that we stand for as a team. We have such a great culture in our program already, but these women will take it to another level. The single most essential ingredient for a championship team is that everyone loves the game, loves the grind, and loves each other. This group has that."

 

Ella Walker, Middle Hitter, Proctor High School

Ella joins USF from Duluth, Minnesota where she attended Proctor High School. Ella was selected as the Proctor High Volleyball team captain where she had racked up 848 kills, a .312 hitting percentage, and 133 blocks. She was awarded Lake Superior Conference Honorable Mention in 2021 as well as Lake Superior All Conference in 2022. Ella has also made the Duluth News Tribune All Area Volleyball Team, Big Dog All Star Volleyball Team, and the Border Battle All Star Team. In high school, Ella also participated on the Track and Field Team and volunteered for multiple youth and athletic organizations. While competing for the Northern Revival Club, Ella earned AAU Volleyball National All American (Club Division). Daughter of Damon and Kirsten Walker, Ella plans to study Business Management as well as Sports Media and Marketing. She hopes to work in the management/marketing department of a professional sports team when she graduates. 

 

"USF volleyball fans are going to love watching Ella. Not only will she be one of the highest touching middles in the NSIC, but she will also have the most contagious energy. Anyone would envy her surplus of raw and natural talent. Helping her develop those talents into dominant skills is going to be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience."

-Dan Mathews on Ella Walker

 

Abigail Haus, Rightside, Sartell High School 

Abigail (Abby) joins the Cougars from Sartell, Minnesota where she ran track and played volleyball for Sartell High School. In her 2023 volleyball season, Abby recorded 321 kills, 307 digs, and 33 solo blocks. She was awarded Central Lakes All Conference in 2021 and 2022 and currently holds the Sartell High school Top 5 single season blocking record. Abby also competed for the Kandi Elite Volleyball Club. Off the court, she has volunteered for the food drive, helping her town's local homeless shelter. Daughter of Angie and Darren Haus, Abby plans on majoring in Business at USF. 

 

"Abby brings a degree of physicality that teams need in the NSIC. She immediately makes our team bigger and stronger, but she also knows how to work hard and demand that others do the same. She comes from a family of football and baseball players, so she has that blue collar Minnesota grit that never quits."

-Dan Mathews on Abigail Haus

 

Tatum Godinez, Outside Hitter, Omaha Westside High School 

Tatum comes to USF from Omaha, Nebraska where she attended Omaha Westside High School. Tatum was a three sport athlete in high school, competing in basketball, track and field, and volleyball. On the volleyball court, she had an average hitting percentage of 0.312 and an average serve receive rating of 2.68. Her junior year, Tatum was a Metro Conference Honorable Mention, Nebraska Class A State Runner up, and earned Academic All State. She also competed for the Nebraska Elite 17-1 Club. Daughter of Kim and Tom Marasco and Frank and Kim Godinez, Tatum plans to study Pre-Med at USF. 

 

"Tatum competes for one of the elite clubs in the midwest, alongside and against the region's top players. She also just led Omaha Westside High School to a deep run in the state tournament. She understands how to compete with intensity at the highest levels, yet also keeps a cool and collected head."

 -Dan Mathews on Tatum Godinez

 

Lucille Larson, Libero, Northfield High School

Lucille (Lucy),  joins the Cougars from Northfield, Minnesota where she attended Northfield High School. Lucy was selected as team captain for the varsity volleyball team where she earned All-Conference. Off the court, Lucy was a part of the student leadership program at her school and a member of the National Honors Society. She also competed for the Northern Lights Volleyball Club. Daughter of Elizabeth and Jeff Larson, Lucy plans to get her Master's in Business Administration at USF. 

 

"A great libero brings enthusiasm to the court, takes significant leadership responsibility, thanklessly executes her phase of the game, and sets the standard for effort. Lucy does all these things. Her passion for volleyball is immediately obvious, and totally evident in the way she engages the game and her teammates."

-Dan Mathews on Lucille Larson

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