SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana University volleyball team has received letters of intent from six student-athletes in the early signing period, as announced by head coach Dan Meske on Thursday. Kassidy Lommori, Sophia Terwilleger, Jessica Simon, Sarah Allick, Mearah Miedema and Payton Rosendahl will join the Vikings for the start of the 2016-17 season.

"This is a really unique group from all over the country," head coach Dan Meske said. "The one common theme with each of these student-athletes is that they love to compete.  I am thrilled to have each one of them represent Augustana University on and off the court."

Kassidy Lommori | 5-11 | Outside Hitter | Yerington, Nev. | Yerington High School

High School Notes: Kassidy is a 2x State Champion, State Runner-up, four-year letter winner and starter at Yerington High School  … Through her senior season to date, Kassidy has earned 1,564 kills, 163 aces, 172 blocks and 968 digs … As a senior she currently has 385 kills, 58 aces, 31, blocks and 121 digs … She was named Max Preps Player of the Week … As a junior she earned 502 kills, 32 aces, 74 blocks and 275 digs … Led the Lions to a 36-2 record that included a Regional Championship and a State Championship … She was named Nevada All-State MVP, All-Division MVP, Top Junior Recruit List for Max Preps … Max Preps Player of the Week, Small High school All-American Award, All-State Academic Team and a Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee … As a sophomore she had 346 kills, 40 aces, 35 blocks and 229 digs … Led the Lions to a 27-12 record, a Regional Championship and a State Championship … Earned 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Division honors, Soph 79 list for Max Preps and was on the All-State Academic Team … As a freshmen had 331 kills, 33 aces, 32 blocks and 343 digs … Helped Yerington to a 27-12 record, a Regional Championship and was State Runner-up.

Personal: Born on November 11, 1997 in Reno, Nev to Scott Lommori and Leslie Lommori; She plans on majoring in Speech Pathology and minoring in Speech and Hearing Science with career goals of earning her degree and then getting a Master's Degree in Speech Pathology.

Meske On Kassidy: "Kass came to camp this past summer and blew us away as a 6 rotation outside hitter," Meske said. "She actually throws the discus and shot put at an elite level as well, which is part of the reason she hits so hard."  

Sophia Terwilleger | 5-9 | Outside Hitter, Libero | Omaha, Neb. | Marian High School

High School Notes: Sophia is a 2x State Champion, three-year starter and letter winner Marian High School … As a senior she is on pace for over 300 kills, 66 aces and 350 digs … Has been named player of the game seven times while winning the Metros tournament and Districts … She led Marian to a 38-3 record thus far and is currently seeded No. 1 … As a junior she had 370 kills, 45 aces, 24 blocks and 456 digs … Won the Nebraska Class A State Title while being selected to the All-Class A State Tournament team, Class A State Tournament team and the Class A Second Team … As a sophomore she had 70 kills, 10 aces, six blocks and 42 digs … Was an All-State Honorable Mention and helped Marian to a 33-11 record and a State Title.

Personal: Born on January 2, 1998 in Omaha, Neb. to Lisa and Jeff Terwilleger; She is currently undecided on her major but thinking about pursuing the medical field.

Meske On Sophia: "Soph knows what it takes to win and has an infectious spirit about that game," Meske said. "She is a fundamentally sound six rotation player that can help us in a lot of different ways."

Jessica Simon | 5-11 | Setter | Joliet, Illinois | Joliet Catholic Academy

High School Notes: Jessica is a Two-year letter winner for Angle's of Joliet Catholic Academy … Through her senior year to date she has 151 kills, 148 digs and 275 assists … So far this season she has helped lead Joliet Catholic Academy to a Pontiac Tournament Championship and a Oswego Tournament Championship … Named Daily Southtown Player of the Week and ESCC All-Conference Team … Currently in the Final Four of the IHSA Class 3A State Playoffs … As a junior she had 12 kills, 12 digs and 27 assists while helping her team to a 24-16 record and a second place finish in the IHSA Class 3A State Playoffs.

Personal: Born July 18, 1998 in Joliet, Illinois to Joe Simon and Diane Simon; She plans on majoring in Biology and has career goals to complete her undergraduate degree and go to graduate school so she can eventually earn a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.

Meske on Jessica: "Jess is a prototypical setter" Meske said. "She has great touch on the ball and sees the game at a very advanced level.  On top of that, Jess is a natural leader which is a "must" at the setter position."

Sarah Allick | 6-0 | Middle Blocker/ Outside Hitter | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln North Star

High School Notes: Sarah is a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter and Lincoln North Star … As a senior she has been named an Under Armour All-American Prospect … As a junior she had match-highs of 13 blocks, .341 hitting percentage … She set the school's single season blocks record with 244 total blocks … Earned First Team Super-State honors, was named Max Preps Top 18 recruit in the Nation, First Team All-City, Wisconsin National Qualifier All-tournament MVP during club season and was a first round state qualifier … Starter and letter-winner as a sophomore … Earned Second Team All-City honors  … Earned a letter as a freshman at Lincoln North Star … Named most improved on her tea, and had a standing vertical record of 27.5 inches.

Personal: Born on April 23, 1998 in Okinawa, Japan to Colleen Ziegelbein and Melvin Allick; She plans on majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology with career goals in speech pathology and biology research.

Meske on Sarah: "Sarah is a fantastic athlete that can play any position in the front row. Blocking is certainly her strongest skill at this point, but with her vertical, she has the potential to be an elite attacker for us as well."

Payton Rosendahl | 6-1 | Outside Hitter | Creston, Neb. | Lakeview High School

High School Notes: Payton is a three-year starter and letterwinner at Lakeview High School … To date in her senior season she has 401 dig and 62 aces while being third on the team in digs, second in kills and third in blocks … She is currently in the Top-10 for all-time games played, matches played, serve attempts, serve aces, attack attempts, kills, attack efficiency, points scored and blocks … As a junior is she earned First Team All-Conference honors, made all four statewide lists for All-State Honorable Mention … As a sophomore she started and lettered for Lakeview High School.

Personal: Born January 8, 1998 in Columbus, Neb. to Tammy Osten and Scot Rosendahl; Payton is currently undecided on what she plans on majoring in while at Augustana University.

Meske on Payton: "Payton is the type of player that can control the game as both an attacker and blocker," Meske Said. "With her physicality, she has all the tools to be great."

Mearah Miedema | 6-0 | Middle Blocker | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Washington High School

High School Notes: During her time at Washington High School Mearah has been a three-year letter winner and a starter during her senior year … In her career she has 300 kills, 16 aces, 101 total blocks and 165 digs … As a senior so far she has 138 kills, 16 aces, 39 total blocks and 95 digs … As a junior she had 162 kills, 59 total blocks and 70 digs.

Personal: Born on July 10, 1997 in Sioux Falls, S.D. to Aaron Miedema and Michele Kane; Mearah plans on majoring in exercise science and minoring in spanish while at Augustana.

Meske on Mearah: "Mearah may be the most athletic person in our gym from day 1," Meske said. "She's [ran] track, played basketball and been a multi-sport athlete her whole life. Investing all of her efforts into volleyball for the first time, Mearah has amazing potential to be a force in the middle for us."

The Vikings will be in rounding out their 2015 regular season against Winona State and Upper Iowa Friday and Saturday as they fight for position in the NSIC tournament that begins next week.