Area talent joins Lake Region State College Volleyball

Five area players will be making a big impact for the future of Lake Region State College Royals Volleyball.

Head coach Stevan Waddell said the new signees are a great fit with the Royals' Volleyball program and he's excited for the 2022-2023 season.

"These additions to the team will help us build on the strong team dynamics of past season. It should be an exciting season for Royals' Volleyball," Waddell said. 

Desidy Schwanke – Desidy is a 6 rotation middle hitter from Benson County. For her career, she has over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs, and was named to the Region 4 All-Region team in 2019, 2020, and 2021. She was also Academic All-Region from 2019-2021. She was voted team MVP for 2019 and 2020, and she led her team in kills from 2018-2021, digs from 2019-2021, Blocks from 2018-2021, and Ace serves in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021. "Desidy is an extremely strong player, and one of the best out of Region 4.  Not only is she an extremely smart and powerful hitter in the front row, she plays very solid defense and serves tough when she's in the back row. She is incredibly composed as a hitter, and she has the ability to make some big plays! She has been a steady leader for her team for the past three years which will be very beneficial to the Royals Volleyball program."

McKenna Tofsrud – McKenna is a libero from Benson County. She was named to the Region 4 All-Region team from 2019-2021, along with being All-Region Academic from 2019-2021. "McKenna (Mac) is a gritty libero that played every position in the back row. She is smooth in her serve receive, and she pursues every ball on defense. She serves tough, and she also jumps well which makes her invaluable to our program as she could play in the front row for us if the need arises. As far as liberos go, she truly plays the position well, and we are looking for her to make big defensive plays for us!"

Morgan Thielbar – Morgan is a setter turned outside hitter from Langdon-Edmore-Munich. She has experience as both a setter and an outside hitter for one of the best programs in the state. She was an All-Region 4 selection in 2021, and helped lead her team back to the state tournament. She has a very tough serve, and her competitiveness on the court and mental toughness will be a huge attribute for the Royals. "Morgan is a great sign for us because of how versatile she is. She sets beautifully, but she can also attack in the front row. Coming from Langdon, Morgan will come to our program with a high level of skill, and she has also competed at a very high level."

Lindsey Nyhagen – Lindsey is a setter from North Star High School. She has over 1,500 set assists, and has played varsity for the past three seasons. She was named to the Region 4 All-Region team as both a junior and a senior. This year, her team was constantly ranked in the top-10, and they made it to the Region Finals, for the third consecutive year. Lindsey has also been an All-Region 4 Academic Team member for three seasons. "Lindsey is a very smooth setter who is able to find her hitters exceptionally well. Not only does she set well, but her defense in the back row sets her apart from other setters. She is a fierce competitor, and she will do whatever it takes to help to make her team successful. She will be an impact player for us and help to provide a lot of consistency at the setter position."

Vivianna Kraft – Vivianna (Viv) is an outside hitter from Devils Lake High School. Viv is a true student of the game who continuously strives to learn more about ways to improve and help her team to be successful. "Viv is a strong outside hitter who serves well and also plays well in the back row. I'm excited that she has decided to be a Royal! She will add depth to our program, and she will work hard every day to get better, which is what we look to do in the program. Coming from a Class A program, Viv has competed at a high level, and that will be something that we will look to capitalize on with her!"

"I couldn't be more excited to add this first round of recruits. These five players (Desidy, Mac, Morgan, Lindsey, and Viv) will be a welcomed addition to our already deep and talented team that will be returning next year. The future of Royal's volleyball certainly looks bright!"