RAPID CITY, S.D. – Head Coach Lauren Prochazka and South Dakota Mines Volleyball has announced a new signing class of eight players.

Elle Bouten | OH | Maple Grove, Minn.

Elle Bouten joins the Hardrockers from Maple Grove, Minnesota. She played for Zimmerman High School along with Minnesota Select Volleyball Club.

"Elle brings great size and physicality to the outside position," head coach Lauren Prochazka said. "She is going to compete at a very high level and help our offense become more diverse."

Laney Caskey | MB, OH | Ogallala, Neb.

Out of Ogallala, Nebraska, Laney Caskey will join the Hardrockers next season. In her career, she competed for Ogallala High School and Nebraska Juniors.

"Laney is a kid full of energy and has that 'it' factor," Prochazka exclaimed. "She loves to compete and win and can hit in all three positions. I am confident that she will make a great impact on our program."

Macey Davis | DS/L | Rapid City, S.D.

Macey Davis attends Rapid City Stevens High School as a libero. She also played for Black Hills Juniors and is the first Rapid City native on the Hardrockers roster since 2021.

"Macey is a great hometown Rapid City kid who is close to our program and knows the expectation we have to succeed," Prochazka said. "She is relentless in her pursuit of the ball, and I am excited to watch her grow in our program."

Brylin Gomer | OPP, MB | Fort Collins, Colo.

An opposite hitter and middle blocker out of Fort Collins, Colorado, Brylin Gomer joins South Dakota Mines from Flatirons Academy. She also played for CSJ Colorado Skyline Juniors.

"Brylin is going to add size to our front line, with great blocking and attacking abilities," Prochazka said. "She has the heart of a competitor and the toughness that is required to make an impact in this conference."

Emily Henderson | S | Tiffin, Iowa

Emily Henderson comes to Rapid City from Tiffin, Iowa, out of Clear Creek-Amana High School. Henderson played club for the Iowa Rockets.

"Emily is a true high impact setter who understands how to run an offense, lead her team, and win," Prochazka exclaimed. "We are very excited to add Emily to our program and think she will make an immediate impact on our offense."

Josie Hoff | OPP | Houston, Tex.

An opposite hitter out of Houston, Texas, Josie Hoff previously played at Klein Cain High School. On the club side, she played for TAV 11 Adidas in Spring, Texas.

"Josie is a great left-handed opposite hitter who will add great competition to the position," Prochazka said. "She is fast twitch and aggressive, and someone I see causing a lot of problems for our opponents."

Campbell Sheffield | DS/L | Allen, Tex.

Campbell Sheffield is one of two players out of Texas, joining Josie Hoff. She played at Allen High School and AA 18 Navy Telos this past year.

"Campbell is playing at an exceptionally high level and understands the demands of a great libero/defensive specialist," Prochazka explained. "She has a great platform and is going to provide immediate stability and consistency to our back row."

Alexis Taylor | OH | Rivertown, Wyo.

Alexis Taylor joins the Hardrockers out of Rivertown, Wyoming. She surpasses 1,000 career kills earlier this season at Rivertown.  

"Lexi is a true coaches kid, someone who has the toughness and adaptability to play multiple positions at this level," Prochazka said. "Watching Lexi over time, it was clear to us that she always found a way to score, and she never backed down. I'm excited to add another Wyoming kid to our roster!"

"With the addition of these freshmen we are going to immediately get bigger, faster, stronger, and better," Prochazka said. "I am excited about the physicality these eight will bring to our program and the fight they all have in them. With graduating six seniors, we knew it was going to be important to get better right away and recruit women that were going to help this program up a notch. Our coaching staff is excited and eager to get these ladies to campus and get to work."

What's Next

The All-RMAC teams will be announced later this week, followed by academic honors in the coming weeks.