SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- Augustana volleyball head coach Jen Jacobs announced Wednesday the signing of five future Vikings for the incoming freshman class of 2019. The class includes Piper Asche, Maddy Guetter, and Kate Reimann, Lexi Langley, and Erika Bute.

"Overall the entire coaching staff couldn't be more excited for the 2019 class," Jacobs said. "In my first two seasons, we will have graduated nine impactful players. Combined with last year's 2018 class, the 2019 class is rounding out filling those gaps the previous classes left behind. We believe we are raising the bar for the future of Augustana Volleyball and this class is a major part of that...Get ready fans - you're in for a treat with this group for years to come!"  

Piper Asche is a 6'1 middle blocker from Clara City, Minn. Asche is a four-year letter winner and was captain of her MACCRAY High School team. This season Asche was named All-State Honorable Mention and named to the All-Academic team for the third time.

Asche has been named All-Conference four times along with being named twice to the All-Area First Team.

Jacobs on Asche: "Piper is so fast in the middle and she elevates off of one foot with ease," Jacobs said. "Strong middles are the name of the game in the NSIC and we are looking forward to watching what she does best!"

Asche is undecided on her major.

Maddy Guetter hails from Wabasso Minn. The  5'11 outside hitter was a decorated high school athlete named All-State Honorable Mention her senior year as well as All-Conference her junior and senior years.

Guetter was two-time Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year. Guetter also holds her high school's record for both kills in a season with 483 as well as career kills with 1639.
Jacobs on Guetter: "Maddy will capture your attention right away. She is a dynamic attacker with a high ceiling who will bring a new edge to our game. We are pumped to see her talents thrive!"

Guetter plans to major in business and minor in marketing at Augustana.

Kate Reimann is a 5'10 outside hitter from Cottage Grove, Minn. Reimann attended East Ridge high school where she was a four-year starter and team captain. Her senior year she tallied 309 kills while hitting .300 in 89 sets. On the defensive side, she racked up 38 blocks and 125 digs.

Reimann was named All-Conference senior year. Junior year Reimann was named to both the AAU All American and AAU Academic All American teams as well as an All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Jacobs on Reimann: "Kate has a lot of experience playing at a high club level and we will look to her to bring that to our gym.  She can hit anywhere on the court, plays smart, and can make an impact anywhere she is."

At Augustana, Reimann plans to study biology and hopes to become a physician's assistant.  

Lexie Langley is from Fremont, Neb. where she played at Fremont high school. The 6'0 outside hitter was a decorated high school player making multiple D-1 All-Tournament teams as well as the Prep Dig All-Class All-Tournament team. Langley also was named to three All-State First teams her junior season.  

Langley also earned first team All-Conference honors her senior year after being named Honorable Mention sophomore and freshman years.

Jacobs on Langley: "Lexie is a versatile player who is steady on serve receive and also able to swing off the block which is crucial in our league. We are excited to have her!"
Langley is undecided on her major.

Erika Bute is a 5'5 libero from Alden, Minn. played at Alden-Conger high school. Bute had an impressive high school career tallying over 2000 assists and over 1000 digs. The four-year letter winner and a two-year captain was also named to the All-Area team three times.

Bute was named All-Area player of the year her junior year and is a three-time All-Conference and All-Conference Academic selection.

Jacobs on Bute: "We will look to Erika to bring stability to our serve receive game and defensive pursuit. She NEVER gives up on the ball and that's a mentality you can't teach."

Bute plans to study marketing or take courses toward a career in physical therapy.