St. Cloud, Minn. – The St. Cloud State volleyball program announced the signing of five student-athletes during the early signing period on Thursday Nov. 9, for the 2018-19 academic school year.
The program signed Isabelle Erne (Blaine, Minn./Blaine H.S.), Rachel Houle (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.), Madison Hucky (Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran), Katie Krenz (Oakdale, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.) and Allison Naughton (Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling Catholic H.S.)
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"We are extremely excited about this incoming class of freshmen next fall," head coach Chad Braegelmann stated. "These young women have succeeded and won at both the high school and club level. We were able to add a player at every position on the volleyball court and they bring athleticism and increased volleyball knowledge and skills to our team to add depth and competitiveness.  It is definitely possible that some of them will vie for time on the court next fall and hopefully they will continue the rebuilding and growth our program saw this past season."
 Isabella Erne
Outside Hitter
5'8"
Blaine, Minn.
Blaine H.S.
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Isabella ErnePrior to SCSU: Played volleyball at Blaine High School for Celeste Gorman (Head Coach) and Taylor Dordan (Assistant Coach)...has lettered all four years of high school in volleyball and was named All-Conference Honorable Mention in each of the last two years...has served the role of team captain in both her junior and senior season...also has lettered at Blaine in the sport of lacrosse for four years where she has aided the program to a conference championship, two sectional championships and a pair of trips to the Minnesota State Tournament...played club volleyball for the Northern Lights 17-2's – who were the 2017 National Champions in the American Division....has also been honored with an Academic Letter in all four years, was Academic All-State and a member of the National Honor Society the last three years.
Personal: The daughter of Todd and Shannon Erne…is undecided on her potential major...enjoys yoga, reading and spending time with her friends during her free time.
"Bella was the first one to commit in this class and both her parents are SCSU alums," Coach Braegelmann explained. "She helped her 17s team at Northern Lights to a national championship and brings a maturity and composure to the court whenever she plays.  As an outside hitter, she may be a bit shorter than some other front row players at this level but she jumps very well, sees the court and can hit different shots that, along with her backrow play, may see her playing as a six-rotation outside at some point in her career.  She is a competitor that finds a way to help her team be successful."
 Rachel Houle
Right Side
5'11"
Stillwater, Minn.
Stillwater Area H.S.
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Rachel HoulePrior to SCSU: Played volleyball at Stillwater Area High School for Robert Fischer...a three-year letter winner and was named Suburban East Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference in each of the last two years...also lettered at Stillwater in basketball for each of the two last years where she was Suburban East Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year....played club volleyball for Kokoro Volleyball Club...in 2016 high school season, she had 173 kills on 489 attempts along with 74 blocks, 82 digs, a 92 percent serving percentage and 25 aces...earned All-Tournament Honors at the Wisconsin Dells Showcase for Kokoro...also a member of the National Honor Society and earned the Academic Award.
Personal: The daughter of Thomas and Glenda Houle…undecided on a potential major...lists her sister, Stephanie, as having had the greatest influence on her life...her favorite pro athlete is Paige Tapp.
"Rachel could possibly play multiple positions for us, but will definitely get training as a right side attacker where she has excelled at both the club and high school level, playing both front row and back row," stated Coach Braegelmann. "Her energy and passion on the court shine through when she plays. She can be effective off of one foot or two and her athleticism as a blocker could make her a force on the right side in our league. We are looking forward to fine tuning her skills and helping her with shot selection and consistency."
 Madison Hucky
Setter/Right Side
5'10"
Waconia, Minn.
Mayer Lutheran
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Madison HuckyPrior to SCSU: Played volleyball at Mayer Lutheran for Joelle Grimsley...a four-year letter winner...has been an All-Conference selection in all four seasons...All-Sectional in all four years...MVP Class A – Showcase and Honorable Mention...All-State and named to the State All-Tournament Team...helped team to a Minnesota State Class A Volleyball Championship in 2016...also lettered for two years in basketball at Mayer Lutheran... played for the volleyball club team High Voltage for 10 years...earned a place on the school's Honor Roll and Merit Honor Roll.
Personal: The daughter of Dave and Pam Hucky…undecided on a potential major...lists her parents as having had the greatest influence on her...her favorite pro athlete is Michael Jordan...enjoys shopping, hanging out with her friends and cooking with her free time.
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"Maddy is also a multi-sport athlete and has had quite a bit of success," explained Coach Braegelmann. "She helped lead Mayer Lutheran to the Class A State title in the fall of 2016 and has guided them to a top seed in this year's State Tourney as well. Maddy can perform many skills well and could possibly hit and set for us. She will train as a setter for us in the fall. Her passion and commitment to the game, as well as, her competitiveness shine through when she plays. We are excited to have her on board for the fall and to begin working with her."
Katelyn Krenz
Libero / Defensive Specialist
5'4"
Oakdale, Minn.
Stillwater H.S.
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Katelyn KrenzPrior to SCSU: Played volleyball at Stillwater Area High School for Robert Fischer... four-year letter winner...has twice been named the Best Defensive Player and has earned the team's MVP Award... plays junior Olympics volleyball for the Kokoro Volleyball Club – who placed second at nationals in the club division...also played club volleyball for the M1 and North Juniors...an A&B Honor Roll Student
Personal: The daughter of Robert and Lynne Krenz…undecided on a potential major...her sister Clara is a current sophomore libero volleyball player for SCSU...lists her entire family as having had the greatest influence on her life....enjoys working out, playing sand volleyball, card games, fishing, playing with her dog, watching her sisters play volleyball, traveling, hiking, snowmobiling, four wheeling, hanging with her friends, skiing, snowboarding and water skiing....has hiked the Grand Canyon's South Rim to the river and back to the South Rim in one day for 10 hours with her family.
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"Katie is no stranger to SCSU volleyball as we have had the pleasure to coach and work with her multiple years at camps and clinics here," Coach Braegelmann stated. "Katie excels in the backrow where her vision and quickness make her stand out. She is a quiet competitor that has also been on winning teams at both the club and high school level. She partnered with Rachel this past fall to help Stillwater to the State Tourney and we are looking forward to helping her grow during her college years."
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Allison Naughton
Middle Blocker
6'2"
Des Moines, Iowa
Dowling Catholic H.S.
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Allison NaughtonPrior to SCSU: Played volleyball at Dowling Catholic High School for Mary Beth Wiskus, Kellie Hanlon, Trista Spencer and Marci Schrage...is a two-year varsity letter winner...named First Team All-Conference in 2017...played club volleyball for the Iowa Power Volleyball Alliance (IPVA) for six years...a member of the National Honors Society, earned an Academic Letter and was part of the Presidential Honor Roll...
Personal: The daughter of Dave and Shari Naughton…planning on majoring in marketing...lists playing at State/Nationals with her teammates as her greatest athletic thrill...is a peer tutor, a member of Terra Livre (service club), SOS (service club)...also works a job in daycare and teaches middle school volleyball in her free time...has visited Brazil twice for service trips...lists Joe Morton as the person that has had the greatest influence on her life...her sister, Rebecca, is an NCAA National Champion Triathlete for Arizona State.
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"Allison was heavily recruited as a middle blocker by quite a few schools and at different levels," Coach Braegelmann explained. "Her combination of height, arm swing and volleyball IQ will, we believe, help her be successful in the very competitive NSIC.  She helped her club team to success last spring and also led her high school team to a state tourney appearance this fall.  She is another player that will compete on the floor and is very even keeled emotionally. We are very excited to begin working with her and see how she develops as both an attacker and a blocker."
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