SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Head volleyball coach
Ashley Buckley announced Wednesday that Becca Finley from Delavan, Wis., Marissa Johnson from Omaha, Neb., Kelsey Kaufmann from Arlington, S.D., Danielle Magdzas from Superior, Wis., and Ivy Pearson from Alcester, S.D., have signed letters of intent to join Augustana for its 2012 season.
Finley, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, is a senior at Delavan Darien High School in Wisconsin. A two-year letterwinner and starter, she averaged 1.2 blocks per game this past season. Finley was an all-conference pick as a junior.
Johnson is a 5-foot-8 setter and will be a 2012 graduate of Burke High School, having started and lettered all four years. She is currently team captain and was named MaxPreps /AVCA Player of the Week and Kiwanis Fall Athlete. Johnson has racked up 878 assists (9.2 per set), 198 digs, 47 kills, 25 aces and 13 blocks to lead the Bulldogs to a school's best 30-6 record, a district championship and a state tournament qualification. She received all-conference and all-state honorable mention honors as a sophomore and junior, finished district champions and runners up, respectively, and qualified for the state tournament both seasons. Johnson also played for Premier 17 Gold as a junior and won the Show Me Qualifier-National Division to place fifth at nationals and her Premier 16 Gold team took 11th place at the national tournament as a sophomore. She has not yet finished her senior season.
Magdzas, a 6-foot right side hitter and setter will graduate from Superior Senior High School in 2012 as a four-year starter and letterwinner. Magdzas captained the Spartans as a junior and senior and was named to the all-area team three times. As a senior, she was selected first team all-conference, leading the Spartans to a 26-7-1 record and their first conference championship. Madgzas recorded 235 kills (3.0 kills per set), 85 digs, 60 assists, 46 service aces and 31 solo blocks as a senior.
A 6-foot outside hitter, Kaufmann graduates from Arlington High School in 2012 as a four-year starter and letterwinner. As a senior she was named to the AVCA Under Armour Watch List, was featured in the South Dakota Volleyball Preview Magazine and earned AVCA Player of the Week honors. Kaufmann also led her team to a 28-4 record and a district and region championship while notching 360 kills, 181 digs, 65 blocks, 42 aces and a .368 attack percent. She added 306 kills and 262 digs as a junior en route to a state championship and a spot on the all-tournament team, all-state first team and all-conference team with a 33-2 season record. Kaufmann was also named conference MVP and Arlington Team MVP. During her sophomore season she earned all-conference nods and was named to the Brookings Register all-area team after finishing runner-up at the state tournament. Kaufmann is a two-time state champion in the high jump and holds the school and state track meet record. She also holds the school record in the triple jump.
Pearson is a 5-foot-9 outside hitter who will graduate from Alcester-Hudson High School in 2012 as a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter. Pearson reached the 1,000 kill mark at the start of her senior season and now holds school records for most kills in a game, season and career. She has led her team to four district championships and two conference championships, while earning all-conference first team honors twice.
"Our program is excited to welcome this talented group of student-athletes," said Buckley. "These players will provide the necessary depth for us to be successful and I anticipate that their enthusiasm toward the game will compliment the personality of our team. We're eager for them to join us next fall and look forward to watching them grow and develop as Vikings!"
Augustana finishes conference action Friday, hosting No. 10 Wayne State at 7 p.m.
Wednesday is the first day of the early signing period for NCAA volleyball programs.
Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., Augustana College is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
