Wayne State College volleyball and softball both added players to their rosters for 2017-18 with recently-announced signings by both teams’ coaches.
Volleyball coach Scott Kneifl announced that Elsie Zajicek of Brandon, S.D. has signed a national letter of intent to attend Wayne State and play volleyball for the Wildcats in the 2017 season. Zajicek joins six other high school standouts, including Alyssa Ballenger of Ankeny, Iowa, Hope Carter from Mililani, Hawaii, Madelyn Duffy of Fridley, Minn., Madeline Knobbe of West Point, Allison Timmermans from Orange City, Iowa and Jacee Weber of Dorchester, who signed with the Wildcats during the NCAA early signing period in November.
Zajicek is a 5-foot-10 middle/outside hitter from Brandon Valley High School. During her senior season, Zajicek was Class AA All-State second team by the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association and first-team All-ESD and Metro Conference for the Lynx after recording 191 kills, 80 blocks and 17 service aces. As a junior, she helped Brandon Valley to a 20-5 record and a state runner-up finish in Class AA after posting 191 kills (2.4 kills per set) and 50 blocks.
A three-year starter, Zajicek also earned Academic All-Conference honors and was a starter in basketball averaging 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as a senior, helping Brandon Valley to a 20-6 record and seventh-place finish in the South Dakota Class AA State Tournament.
“Elsie is a very hard worker who will add athleticism and depth to our front row,” remarked Coach Kneifl. “We are very excited that she chose Wayne State College and look forward to her being an important part of our program over the course of the next four years.”
Wayne State softball coach Shelli Manson announced that Alyx Hagen and Patricia Sherman from Iowa Western Community College will transfer to Wayne State College and play softball for the Wildcats in the 2017-18 school year.
Both players will have two years of eligibility with the Wildcats and join Brittaney Benavidez of Queen Creek, Ariz., Annie Grammer of Lawrence, Kan., Ashley Hernandez of Omaha, Maddie Moser of Central City and Raquell Penke from Blair as members of the 2017-18 recruiting class.
Hagen is a 5-foot-6 pitcher/first baseman from Kansas City, Mo. This season, she has helped the Reivers to a 34-12 record (as of April 25) and leads the team in home runs (9) and RBI (54) while posting a .388 batting average. In the circle, Hagen’s pitching record is 12-5 with a 3.16 ERA. Last season, Hagen was second-team All-Region designated player after batting .340 with two homers and 28 RBI.
In high school, Hagen was first-team All-District infield as a senior, first-team All-District Utility and second-team All-Suburban Conference Red Division Infield during her junior season and second-team All-Conference Pitcher as a sophomore while being a four-year starter.
Sherman is a 5-foot-5 outfielder from Little Canada, Minn. Sherman posted a .323 average last season with the Reivers recording four homers, 12 doubles and 34 RBI helping the Reivers to a 40-24 record. This season, she has a .252 average (as of April 25) with four homers and 23 RBI. In high school, Sherman was All-Suburban East Conference and All-Section while being named Most Valuable Player during her senior season.
