GRAND FORKS, N.D.—University of North Dakota head volleyball coach Ashley Hardee announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Prep standouts Anna Pioske (Waconia, Minn.) and Kellie Schmit (Kindred, N.D.) have committed to UND and will enroll and join the team in the fall of 2013.
Pioske, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, broke Waconia’s career mark for kills, etching 1,312 in her decorated career there. She also holds the school's single-season kill mark, powering down 490 to earn herself Baden Ms. Volleyball Finalist accolades. She's a two-time All-Minnesota Class AAA First Team member and a three-time all-conference honoree.
This past season, Pioske was an All-Pioneer Press First Team selection and a Star Tribune All-Metro First Teamer. She also competed in the state track meet, running the 400 meter and 4 X 200 relay as a four-time All-Wright County Conference sprinter. She holds school records in three varsity track events as well. She earned academic all-conference and all-state honors and currently holds a 3.815 grade point average.
Schmit, another 5-11 hitter, led Kindred to the North Dakota State Class B tournament in her senior campaign. Once there, Schmit's efforts helped lead Kindred to its first-ever win at the state tourney en route to the championship. She averaged 20 kills per match in the Class B tourney and posted 20 finishes in the title match over Langdon and was named the Senior Athlete of the Year in Class B.
Schmit erased nearly every offensive category at Kindred. She tallied 1,818 kills, 286 aces and 359 blocks-- all new Kindred standards. Schmit has a career hitting percentage of .327 and is a four-time all-district, all-conference and team MVP. She was named to the 2011 and 2012 All-State Team and was a member of the 2012 state champion 1600 relay team in track.
UND has qualified for the Big Sky Conference Tournament in its first year with the league. North Dakota is the five seed in the six-team tourney and will face host Northern Colorado in the opening round of the championships on Fri., Nov. 23.
Pioske, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, broke Waconia’s career mark for kills, etching 1,312 in her decorated career there. She also holds the school's single-season kill mark, powering down 490 to earn herself Baden Ms. Volleyball Finalist accolades. She's a two-time All-Minnesota Class AAA First Team member and a three-time all-conference honoree.
This past season, Pioske was an All-Pioneer Press First Team selection and a Star Tribune All-Metro First Teamer. She also competed in the state track meet, running the 400 meter and 4 X 200 relay as a four-time All-Wright County Conference sprinter. She holds school records in three varsity track events as well. She earned academic all-conference and all-state honors and currently holds a 3.815 grade point average.
Schmit, another 5-11 hitter, led Kindred to the North Dakota State Class B tournament in her senior campaign. Once there, Schmit's efforts helped lead Kindred to its first-ever win at the state tourney en route to the championship. She averaged 20 kills per match in the Class B tourney and posted 20 finishes in the title match over Langdon and was named the Senior Athlete of the Year in Class B.
Schmit erased nearly every offensive category at Kindred. She tallied 1,818 kills, 286 aces and 359 blocks-- all new Kindred standards. Schmit has a career hitting percentage of .327 and is a four-time all-district, all-conference and team MVP. She was named to the 2011 and 2012 All-State Team and was a member of the 2012 state champion 1600 relay team in track.
UND has qualified for the Big Sky Conference Tournament in its first year with the league. North Dakota is the five seed in the six-team tourney and will face host Northern Colorado in the opening round of the championships on Fri., Nov. 23.
