RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines Volleyball team has announced 7 signings for the early signing period with head coach Lauren Torvi Prochazka announcing the addition of Hannah Bennes, Paisley Gibson, Ava Sparks, Kiera Walsh, Heather Jiricek, Ava Brunn, and Morgan Daugherty who are set to become Hardrockers next fall.

"The most exciting thing about this particular group is the level at which they all compete. All of these young women come from incredibly strong HS and club programs around the country where they are playing with and against the best of the best. We are so excited to add this strong class to our established culture and become highly competitive in our conference, said Torvi Prochazka.

From Antioch, Ill., Hanna Benes signs with South Dakota Mines as a Libero/Defensive specialist. At Antioch Community, she was named All-Conference, Academic All-Conference, and team captain. Her play earned her a spot on the Daily Herald All-Lake County team as well as being named the 2019 AVCA Phenom and 2021 AAU All-American.

"Hannah is a natural born leader with the ability to take over a back row. She is consistent, steady, and an energetic libero," stated Torvi Prochazka. "Her passion to be a Hardrocker is unmatched, and I cannot wait to see her career unfold."

Native of Omaha, Neb., Paisley Gibson joins the fold as a 5-10 outside hitter from Millard South High School. During her senior season, she recorded 187 kills to go along with 285 digs and 25 blocks in 83 sets played. For her play, she was named Team MVP and All-Conference Honorable Mention.

"Paisley is going to be a huge threat for us on the outside position, something that our team needs, said Torvi Prochazka. "She is fast, bouncy, and can make the shots that we need her to, plus her experience playing high-level Nebraska volleyball has prepared her for competition in the RMAC."

Outside Hitter Ava Sparks joins the class out of Castle Rock, Colo. She attended Valor Christian high school. While there, Sparks was named team captain, Academic All-State, and All-Conference Honorable Mention. In 86 sets played she recorded 71 kills and 50 blocks.
 
"Ava is a very athletic hitter who can swing competitively on either pin," stated Torvi Prochazka. "She has a big ceiling and the athleticism to take her there, so we are really excited to get her in our gym."

Middle, Kiera Walsh comes to Rapid City from Cheyenne, Wyoming. At Cheyenne East, she was named team captain, Academic All-State, and Academic All-Conference, in addition to being named All-Conference for her play on the court. She recorded 155 kills to go along with 162 digs and 123 blocks.
 
"Kiera is a solid middle who has so much intensity in the way she plays the game," said Torvi Prochazka. "Her athleticism and speed make her an exciting addition to our strong middle group."
 
From Chicago, Illinois joins Heather Jiricek, a 6-0 middle. Playing for one of the best high school programs in the country she played 25 sets, recording 14 kills and 46 blocks.
 
"Heather competes for arguably on of the better HS programs in the country, and it is her experience playing at that level that makes her so exciting," stated Torvi Prochazka. "She is tall and strong and we are excited to watch her grow in our program."
 
Ava Brunn joins the Hardrockers as a libero/defensive specialist. Brunn is from Lake City, Minn., and played her high school ball at Lincoln. While there, she earned All-Conference honorable mention and was named team captain for her leadership ability.
 
"When Ava came to camp this past summer, it was clear to us that we needed her to be a part of our family," said Torvi Prochazka. "She is an absolute firecracker on the floor and her ability to not let balls hit the floor is so consistent."
 
Morgan Daugherty, a native of Longmont, Colo. joins the South Dakota Mines volleyball program as an Opposite. While at Niwot, she was named Academic All-Conference and All-Conference for her play. In 98 sets during her 2021 season, she recorded 251 kills with a hitting percentage of .308.

"We believe Morgan is a diamond in the rough," stated Torvi Prochazka. "She is a strong lefty RS who has the experience being a go-to hitter and leading her team to success and her ability to be a performance leader will be crucial as she joins our pin group."
 
The Volleyball class is not finished, however, as they hope to add more later in the signing period.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.