By: Logan Anderson
USF Volleyball Welcomes Six Newcomers in 2027 Signing Class
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball program and Head Coach Dan Mathews have announced the addition of six student-athletes to the Cougars' 2027 recruiting class. Joining USF next fall are Lydia Burrell (Urbandale, Iowa), Payton Gravelle (Wadena, Minn.), Carighan Klatt (Watertown, S.D.), Ryleigh Schelhaas (Woodbury, Minn.), Mia Post (Prinsburg, Minn.) and Haillie Schulz (Glenwood, Minn.).
The incoming class features a combination of offensive talent, defensive experience and versatility, with two outside hitters, a right-side hitter, a middle blocker, a setter and a defensive specialist/libero. The six newcomers bring a collection of All-State, All-Conference and academic honors to Sioux Falls as the Cougars enter a new chapter following the graduation of 11 players over the past two seasons.
"We are signing six new players in 2027, which is a relatively large recruiting class. However, we graduated 11 players over the last two years, so this recruiting class really represents the turning of a new chapter for USF Volleyball. It is exciting to rebuild with such talented volleyball players, dedicated students, and wonderful people. This recruiting class is loaded with athletic talent, and their future teammates at USF are eager to welcome them to the team. I am humbled by their decision to join our program, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help them succeed."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Lydia Burrell | Urbandale, Iowa | Waukee Northwest HS | 5'11" | Right-Side Hitter
Burrell joins the Cougars from Waukee Northwest High School, where she helped lead the Wolves to an Iowa State Championship appearance. A 5-foot-11 right-side hitter, Burrell earned CIML All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition and competed at the club level with PowerPlex 18U Brogean. A multi-sport athlete who also participated in tennis, Burrell was a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in Elementary Education at USF.
"From the moment we met Lydia, we knew that she would be a perfect fit for the USF Cougars. Her personality and values align with what we want our program to represent. She has experience playing elite volleyball and recently led her high school team to the Iowa State Championship. I'm excited for her to bring that high-level experience into our gym and share it with us."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Payton Gravelle | Wadena, Minn. | Wadena-Deer Creek HS | 5'11" | Middle Blocker
Gravelle arrives in Sioux Falls following a decorated athletic career at Wadena-Deer Creek High School, where she established herself as a standout in both volleyball and basketball. On the volleyball court, Gravelle totaled 1,984 career kills while earning five All-Conference selections, three All-State honors and two Conference MVP awards. A six-time letterwinner and two-time team captain, she was also named the 2024 Brainerd Dispatch Area Player of the Year. Gravelle competed with Sanford Sports Academy at the club level. In basketball, she surpassed 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds while earning four All-Conference selections. Academically, Gravelle was recognized on the Honor Roll and President's List and was a member of the National Honor Society.
"Payton understands what it takes to compete against great competition. She embraces the big moments and isn't afraid of a challenge, which are great leadership qualities in a middle blocker. At the same time, she is an excellent teammate and a gifted student. This combination of grit on the court, positive team culture values, and commitment to academics represents exactly who we are at USF Volleyball."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Carighan Klatt | Watertown, S.D. | Watertown HS | 5'10" | Outside Hitter
Klatt joins the Cougars from Watertown High School, where she competed in volleyball, track and field, and golf for the Arrows. A 5-foot-10 outside hitter, Klatt earned Eastern South Dakota All-Conference honors in both 2025 and 2026 and was named her high school's Offensive MVP in 2025. She also earned Offensive MVP recognition with Elite Alliance Volleyball Club in 2023 and 2024 and competed with Kairos Volleyball. Beyond the volleyball court, Klatt earned All-State and All-Conference honors in the 4x100-meter relay in 2026, helped her team capture an ESD championship and was part of a school-record relay team in 2025. She was also a member of Watertown's 2024 Class AA girls golf state championship team. Klatt earned Honor Roll recognition and academic letters throughout high school and plans to pursue a career in dentistry.
"Carighan is one of the best outside hitters in South Dakota. She has competed at the elite levels of high school and club volleyball in the state. Her energy on the court is contagious, and it brings out the best in her teammates. She has an exciting combination of physicality, explosiveness, and natural talent that will immediately raise the level in our gym."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Ryleigh Schelhaas | Woodbury, Minn. | New Life Academy | 5'10" | Outside Hitter
Schelhaas comes to USF from New Life Academy, where she earned recognition as one of Minnesota's standout volleyball players. A 5-foot-10 outside hitter, Schelhaas was named to the 2026 Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association All-State Team and the Class AA All-Tournament Team. She was also recognized among the 2026 Strib Varsity Top 25 and earned All-Skyline Conference honors in 2025. Schelhaas competed with Kokoro Volleyball at the club level while also participating in track and field for the Eagles. Academically, she earned A Honor Roll recognition and was a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Biology at Sioux Falls.
"Ryleigh embodies the USF Volleyball spirit in everything she does. Her talent as a volleyball player is obvious, but her poise, grace, and maturity make her really special. She is calm under pressure and keeps a steady hand in challenging moments. She makes her community better simply by being a part of it, and she will certainly have that effect on our team."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Mia Post | Prinsburg, Minn. | MACCRAY HS | 5'3" | Defensive Specialist/Libero
Post joins the Cougars from MACCRAY High School, where she developed into a standout defensive player, reaching the 1,000-career-dig milestone. A two-time All-Conference selection during her sophomore and junior seasons, Post also served as a team captain and earned All-American recognition at the club level while competing with Kandi Elite. A multi-sport athlete, Post participated in gymnastics and track and field, earning Rookie of the Year recognition in track and receiving her gymnastics team's Most Team Spirit award in consecutive seasons. In the classroom, Post maintained a 3.5 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society.
"Mia brings an infectious enthusiasm to everything she does. As a libero, she combines that joy for the game with the attitude of a playmaker and a healthy disdain for losing. She creates scoring opportunities for her teammates because she is so quick and unafraid. Her work ethic will exert an awesome influence on how the USF Cougars train and compete."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
Haillie Schulz | Glenwood, Minn. | Minnewaska Area HS | 5'9" | Setter
Schulz joins the Cougars from Minnewaska Area High School, where she helped lead her team to its first-ever appearance in the Minnesota State Volleyball Tournament. A 5-foot-9 setter, Schulz earned three All-Conference selections, Conference Most Valuable Setter honors and was a two-time All-Around MVP. She also competed at the club level with Kandi Elite. In addition to volleyball, Schulz excelled in softball, earning Class AA First Team All-State recognition, two All-Conference selections and honors including Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Team MVP. She also competed in basketball during high school. Academically, Schulz maintained a 4.055 GPA and earned Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recognition.
"Haillie brings an incredible amount of intensity and toughness to every game she plays, which she demonstrated this year by leading her high school to its first-ever appearance in the Minnesota State Volleyball Tournament. She is the type of relentless athlete who wants to show up every day and do the hard work, which is the best leadership trait a coach could hope for in a setter."
-Head Coach, Dan Mathews
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