MOORHEAD, Minn. – Head Coach Tammy Blake-Kath and the Dragon volleyball staff will welcome seven additions to their 2011 roster. The National Letter of Intent signees were announced Wednesday.
 
Joining the team will be Amanda Feils (Kellogg, Minn.), Morgan Gradishar (Aurora, Colo.), Maggie Gruber (Belgrade, Minn.), Kirsten Henning (Jackson, Wis.), Samantha Reilly (Waunakee, Wis.), Sam Sullivan (Woodbury, Minn.) and Kendra Weege (Watertown, Minn.).
 
"We are very fortunate to have these exceptional athletes joining our program.  They are all great students, incredible competitors, and come from top programs throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Colorado.  Besides what they have developed technically, they are energetic, aggressive, and passionate players.  We're looking forward to having them all join us, it's really a special group.”  Head Coach Blake-Kath said.
 
Amanda Feils (MB/RS, 6'1”, Kellogg, Minn./Wabasha-Kellogg)
Feils, Winona Daily News Volleyball Player of the Year, led Wabasha-Kellog High School to a Minnesota State Championship in 2010 as the team's middle blocker. She was named to the Class A All-Tournament team after being named to the honorable mention All-State team, and was also honored on the All-Three Rivers Conference team.  She is a three-time letterwinner in volleyball as well as winning three letters in basketball and two in softball.

"Amanda comes from a great volleyball program and has been a standout player for her high school throughout her career.  She is an outstanding all-around athlete that has an extreme upside as a volleyball player.  She has a fast arm swing and a great skill set, which will only get better with training.  Amanda has the size and athletic ability to play any position at the net for us."

Morgan Gradishar (OH/RS, 5'11”, Aurora, Colo./Grandview)
Gradishar, a native of Colorado, was a four-time letterwinner in volleyball at powerhouse Grandview High School.  She totaled four state tournament appearances, and was a member of the 2007 Colorado State Championship team.  Morgan has been awarded All-Conference, All-City and All-State honors.

"Morgan comes from one of the most successful, tradition-rich high school and club programs in the country.  She's competed nationally for Front Range Volleyball club, and was recognized as Prep Volleyball's top 79 Sophomores in 2008. Morgan has really worked hard to become a premier outside hitter in the state of Colorado. She is an all-around player with great athleticism, and she is extremely mentally tough."

Maggie Gruber (MB/RS, 6'1”, Belgrade, Minn./BBE)
A two-time All-Minnesota State selection (2009 & 2010), Gruber played her prep career at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) where she lettered three times. She aided in leading her team to the State Tournament in 2008 and 2010. Gruber was honored on the All-Central Minnesota Conference first team in 2009 and 2010 and paired those accolades with All-Area first team honors.

"Maggie is a tremendous athlete with a big-time arm swing.  She is playing middle blocker in high school, but we feel she could play any of the three front row positions.  Maggie has the potential to be an exceptional player for us, and we look forward to watching her develop in our program."

Kirsten Henning (OH/RS, 5'9”, Jackson, Wisc./Kettle Moraine Lutheran)
Henning will join the Dragons as an outside/right side hitter coming from dominant Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School where she lettered in volleyball four times. The team's 2010 Most Valuable Player, Henning was also selected to the All-Area second team in both 2009 and 2010. Her honors include All-Conference in 2009 and 2010 as well as All-Wisconsin honorable mention in 2009.  She was a member of the State Championship team in 2007.

"Kirsten comes to us from the prestigious Milwaukee Sting volleyball club.  She is an exceptional passer and defensive player, but she is also a very dynamic attacker and solid blocker from all positions. One of her greatest strengths is her passion for the game. She has a great personality, and she brings a spirit and energy to the court. We felt that combination of things makes her a great recruit for our program."

Samantha Reilly (L/DS, 5'3”, Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee)
Reilly is a two-time letterwinner from Waunakee High School where she was a member of the 2009 Badger North Conference championship team. She was named to the 2010 All-Conference team and complimented that with the Waunakee America Legion Auxiliary Hustle Award. She was the libero for the team when they were the sectional semi-finalists in both 2009 and 2010.

"Sam is a very fiery competitor who brings a tremendous will to win to our program. She is an exceptional passer, extremely quick, and has a very high volleyball IQ.  Sam has played for an outstanding Capital Volleyball Academy and Power (Sauk) club program in Wisconsin, which has engrained in her many tools to be a tremendous collegiate athlete.  Along with those tools, she brings an outstanding attitude and work ethic."

Sam Sullivan (S/RS, 5'11”, Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury)
Sullivan, a top setter from Woodbury, led her team in assists and aces in her senior season, when she was also named a member of the All-Suburban East Conference team.  She has competed at the club level for Minnesota One and currently, Kokoro volleyball club.

"At 5'11, Sam is such a dynamic player who can make a difference defensively and offensively as a setter. Her athleticism and work ethic will no doubt propel her to a very successful college volleyball career.  We are both fortunate and thrilled that Sam has chosen to become a Dragon volleyball player."

Kendra Weege (S, 5'6”, Watertown, Minn./Mayer Lutheran)
An honorable mention All-State Minnesota honoree, Weege comes to to the Dragons after lettering three times in volleyball at Mayer Lutheran High School. Weege earned All-State accolades and All-Conference honors (honorable mention) in 2010 after leading her team to place fourth in the at the Minnesota State High School League Championships.

"Kendra is a smooth setter with good mobility and great decision making abilities. She has great location and tempo on her sets and plays tough defensively in the back row. Her skill set is a great fit for our team.  With a deadly jump serve, she plays with great confidence on the court and she knows how to make the players around her better."