University of Northern Iowa volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen has announced the signing of four Cedar Valley Sports alums to the Panthers' 2014-15 recruiting class.

UNI has added Rachel Koop (Dike, IA), Kendyl Sorge (Janesville, IA), Piper Thomas (Jesup, IA) and Bri Weber (Dike, IA) in this year’s signing class. Also signed were Katie Jones (Delavan, WI) and Maddie McNeil (Eagan, MN).

“We are extremely excited about our 2015 recruiting class and the potential they have,” Petersen said. “It is a big class for us and we are looking forward to all six joining our program. Each of them are incredible athletes, with great work ethic, a hunger to compete and have a high commitment to academics, all of which are important to our program. Each of these student-athletes have played for strong high school and club teams and that experience will help them with their adjustment to the college game. We are thrilled to have each of them and their families become members of the UNI Panther volleyball program.”

Rachel Koop:

Rachel Koop (Courtesy UNI Athletics)
Rachel Koop (Courtesy UNI Athletics)
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Koop (5’9”, Setter) has helped Dike-New Hartford High School to four consecutive state volleyball championships in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She is a four-year varsity letterwinner and a four-time first-team all-state honoree, chosen as captain of this year's squad. Koop lettered in basketball, tennis and softball as a prep athlete. Koop is also a three-time first-team all-conference pick in the North Iowa Cedar League. Koop helped lead her club team Six Pack to the 2012 16-under USA Volleyball national championship in the nation division. Koop has been named to the national all-tournament team in 2012. Koop is the daughter of Steve and Angie Koop.

“Rachel, one of several multi-sport athletes in this class, is very athletic and does some high level things as a setter all ready,” Petersen said. “She brings size and athleticism to our setter position. Her contact point is high and fast which will allow us to have a lot of options offensively. She also is an aggressive attacker herself and does a great job of taking control of the offense making good decisions based on what she reads. She has shown great leadership, controlling the offense and encouraging her teammates which will help her to succeed in the setting position at this level.”

Kendyl Sorge:

Kendyl Sorge (Courtesy UNI Athletics)
Kendyl Sorge (Courtesy UNI Athletics)
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Sorge (5’7”, Libero/Defensive Specialist) has has taken part in four state tournaments (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) for the Janesville Wildcats and was selected to the all-state team each season. Sorge served as Janesville's team captain in 2014. She is a three-time all-conference honoree in the Iowa Star Conference. She earned letters in volleyball (4), softball (4), basketball (3) and track (3). She qualified for the state track meet in the long jump (2012), 4x200 relay (2013, 2014), 4x100 relay (2013, 2014) and distance medley relay (2013, 2014). Sorge also earned first-team all-state honors in softball in 2013. She is a member of National Honor Society. She played club volleyball for Six Pack from seventh grade to the present day and was a part of the Six Pack winning the 2012 USA Volleyball national championship (national division). She plans to major in manufacturing technology at UNI. She is the daughter of Wes and Robbin Sorge.

“Kendyl is another versatile multi-sport athlete who has experienced much success in all the sports she has participated in,” Petersen said. “Kendyl will not only add athleticism, but also speed and quickness to our libero/defensive specialist position. Kendyl is a competitor and gives her all in every point she plays. She has good technique both on the dig and serve receive and with her agility should adapt to the college game quickly. She has great range and we feel could help us in any of the three back court positions. She also has the ability to bring a heavy attack from the back court as she has played outside hitter in high school.”

Piper Thomas:

Piper Thomas (Courtesy of UNI Athletics)
Piper Thomas (Courtesy of UNI Athletics)
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Thomas (6’1”, Middle Hitter) earned team MVP honors in each of her four years for the Jesup J-Hawks. Thomas served as a three-year captain for the volleyball squad. She was named to the first-team all-conference in 2013 and 2014 in the North Iowa Cedar League. Thomas was named to the second-team all-conference in 2012. Thomas tallied all-district honors in 2013. She also lettered in track and helped win state championships in the 4x800 relay in 2012 and 2013. She was a part of three consecutive state runner-up finishes in the distance medley relay. She is honor roll student. She played club volleyball for Highway 20 in 2009 and Club Iowa Juniors from 2010 to the present. She won the USA Volleyball 17-and-under national championship in the USA Division and was selected to the all-tournament team. Thomas is the daughter of Rob and Rachel Thomas.

“Piper will bring size, athleticism and a strong desire to learn to our middle hitter position,” Petersen said. “She is a fast explosive athlete who will bring versatility offensively and a big block defensively to our middle hitter position. She is a big jumper and moves very efficiently both laterally and on and off the net. Piper’s fiery attitude allows her to push to outwork her opponents each time she steps on the court. Her potential is limitless and we are looking forward to watching her blossom over the next few years.”

Bri Weber:

Briana Weber (Courtesy of UNI Athletics)
Briana Weber (Courtesy of UNI Athletics)
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Weber (5’10”, Outside Hitter) has helped lead Dike-New Hartford to four consecutive state titles. She has been named to the all-state elite squad in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She is a three-time state qualifier in golf and helped Dike-New Hartford to the 2014 state title. Weber also lettered in basketball as a prep athlete. She plays club volleyball for Six Pack. She helped Six Pack win the 2010 14-under USA Volleyball national championship and the 2012 16-under USA Volleyball national championship (national division). Weber was named to the 2012 USA Volleyball national all-tournament team. She plans to major in physical education – exercise science at UNI. She is the daughter of Dawn and Joel Weber.

“Bri comes in as someone who has the potential to play all around for our program,” Petersen said. “Bri has been able to excel in multiple sports throughout her high school years. She is also very athletic, loves to train hard and has a lot of experience on the court. Her ball control and defense are strong as she has learned the importance of those parts of the game. Offensively, she already has a strong arsenal that we look forward to adding to throughout the years. She has a good feel for the game which will help contribute to her success as a college competitor.”

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