ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Head Volleyball Coach Gretchen Hunt has announced the class of 2014, which includes 15 new student-athletes that have committed to playing for the Royals next fall. Of the 15 newcomers, nine are from Minnesota and six live outstate.
 
The 15 signees include Mikayla Morrow, Hannah Johnson, Bobbi Livengood, Sarah Nelson, Hannah Kelley, Bree Raabe, Emily Kukacka, Lauren Kent, Rachel Snyder, Kristin Stern, Kevyn Janicek, Chelsea Wandersee, Tristen Zimmerman, Maddison Messner, and Kristen Johnson.
 
"We are so excited about our 2014 recruiting class," said Hunt. "They represent some of the strongest clubs and high school programs in Minnesota. Our out-of-state recruits also have had some tremendous success in their high school or club programs, and fill some very specific needs we have at certain positions."GET TO KNOW THE RECRUITS MORE 
For further accolades about all incoming freshman, along with player comments, visit the Bethel Royals Volleyball Facebook page."We envision a specific role for each of these players on either our JV or varsity teams, and we are looking forward to having them all in the gym together," continued Hunt. "Not only are we anticipating competition against each other, but also learning how to be devoted to each other in the midst of the competition."
 
Mikayla Morrow (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) started at setter for the Tigers over the past two seasons, and was also team captain her senior year. Morrow played for both the Hutchinson Volleyball Club and most recently, the Vital Volleyball Club, based out of Eden Prairie. Morrow competed on the 17-1's team last season as a setter/hitter and played for the 18-1's this past club season.
 
Hannah Johnson (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) was a two-year varsity player for the Tigers, playing middle hitter her junior year and right-side hitter her senior year. Johnson was awarded "The Most Improved Player Award" at Hutchinson in 2012 and in 2013 was named to the Academic All-State Volleyball Team. Johnson played for the Hutchinson Volleyball Club from 12's-16's, for Vital Volleyball Club's 17-1's team in 2012-13, and this season played for the High Voltage Volleyball Club.
 
Bobbi Livengood (Owatonna, Minn. / Owatonna) was a three-year contributor for the Huskies varsity squad that represented Section 1AAA in both the 2011 and 2012 MSHSL State Tournament. Livengood was named to the All-Area Honorable Mention team in 2012, and in 2013, she was named to the Big 9 All-Conference Team (Honorable Mention). Livengood also received a Minnesota State High School Volleyball Coaches Academic All Star Award.

Sarah Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn. / Wayzata) has been a part of the tradition-rich Wayzata program for her four high school seasons and in 2013 was a reserve on the Trojan Varsity team that reached the Section Final before losing to Eden Prairie. In the off-season, Sarah has played for the Crossfire Volleyball Club for 6 seasons and was a member of the 18-1 team that won the AAU National Championship in the 18-Classic Division recently.
 
Hannah Kelley (Fargo, N.D. / Oak Grove Lutheran) has experienced great success as a part of both the volleyball and basketball programs at Oak Grove. A three-year varsity player for the volleyball program, Hannah was also selected as the Outstanding Offensive Player in each of those seasons. She was also a three-time All-District Selection, and a two-time All-Region selection in North Dakota at the Middle Hitter position. Her Oak Grove team finished the 2013 season with an outstanding record of 32-9.
 
Bree Raabe (Forest Lake, Minn / Forest Lake) was the starting libero for the Rangers team that finished their season with a five-set loss in the 7AAA Section semifinals. Raabe earned All-Conference (Suburban East) honors following the 2013 season, as she totaled 325 digs (landing her in the Top 10 for single-season digs at Forest Lake). In the off-season, Bree has played for both the Lakes Volleyball Club and Crossfire Volleyball Club.
 
Emily Kukacka (New Richmond, Wis. / New Richmond) was a three-year member of the Tiger Varsity volleyball team. A three-time All-Conference (Middle Border) selection, Kukack was selected to the Honorable Mention team in 2011 and 2012, and then to the 7-member All-Conference First Team in 2013. Kukacka spent the 2012-13 club volleyball season competing for Northern Lights on their 18-Red team that finished 3rd in their division at the 2013 AAU Girls' Junior National Championships.
 
Lauren Kent (Galena, Ill. / Galena) was a two-year starter for the 2013 conference-champion Pirates, playing both right side and outside hitter. Lauren was selected to the All-Tournament teams at Pearl City, The Galena Invitational and Latin Tournament in Chicago during the 2013 season. At the end of the season, she was selected to the All-Conference (Northwest Upstate Illini) First Team and All-Area Second Team, after leading her team with 279 kills on the season.
 
Rachel Snyder (Forest City, Iowa / Forest City Community) was a two-year varsity player for the Indians and starting right side hitter. Her 2013 squad finished with a 27-11 record and was also crowned Tournament Champs at the North Iowa Conference Tournament. In the off-season Rachel has played for an AAU team (Bomb Squad) that finished 1st in their bracket at Iowa Regionals.
 
Kristin Stern (Sioux Falls, S.D. / Sioux Falls Christian) was a First-team Class A All-State selection as a Middle Hitter in 2012 and 2013, racking up 345 kills for the Chargers during her senior season. A tradition-rich program, Sioux Falls Christian just appeared in their seventh straight State Tournament, with Kristin earning All-Tournament Team honors in both 2012 and 2013. In addition, the National Christian School Athletic Association honored Kristin with selection to its 2013 NCSAA All-American Volleyball Team.
 
Kevyn Janicek (Loveland, Colo. / Loveland) wracked up 447 digs her senior season for the Indians and averaged of 6.6 digs/set, ranking her in the top 15 defensive players in the state of Colorado. Janicek was named to the Class 5A Front Range League First-Team All-Conference list following that outstanding season. In the offseason, Janicek plays for the Colorado North Stars Volleyball Club. Her 18-Black team earned a Gold Bracket (tie 9th) finish out of 80 teams competing at the Colorado Crossroads Qualifier in 2014. 
 
Chelsea Wandersee (Mayer, Minn. / Watertown-Mayer) was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Watertown-Mayer Royals. Wandersee collected 726 set assists and 277 digs, while running the offense and serving as Team Captain in 2013. Following her senior season, Wandersee was named to the All-Conference (Minnesota River) Honorable Mention team. She was also named to the KDUZ/KARP/KGLB Radio 2013 All-Area Volleyball Team and selected to participate in the 2013 North Central Volleyball All-Star game.
 
Tristen Zimmerman (Little Falls, Minn. / Little Falls) was a four-year member of both the volleyball and softball teams for the Flyers, serving as a co-captain from the libero spot throughout her senior season. Following 2013, Zimmerman was named to the All-Area team and to her third All-Conference Academic team. Previously in the offseason Zimmerman has competed for the Central Lakes Juniors Volleyball Club.
 
Maddison Messner (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) was a three-year varsity player for the Tigers and played on the team that made a State Tournament appearance in 2011. Following an outstanding overall 2013 season where she tallied over 100 kills and 100 digs, despite missing a few weeks in injury, Messner was named to the All-Conference First Team (Wright County) and to the KDUZ/KARP/KGLB Radio All Area Volleyball Team. In the off-season, Maddison has played for the Hutchinson Volleyball Club.
 
Kristen Johnson (Bloomington, Minn. / Kennedy) served as a co-captain for the Eagles throughout 2013, playing as a true utility player (setter, right side and left side hitter). A two-year starter, Johnson was named All-Conference (South Suburban) Honorable Mention in 2013 and led the team with service aces. Johnson played for Crossfire Volleyball Club for multiple years in the offseason and also one season at Club Tonka. 
 
All freshman and transfers, along with the returning upperclassmen, will move in to campus on August 15. The squad will then kick off their season on the West coast, when they compete in the Puget Sound Premier on August 29-30. 

Contact: Jared Johnson | 651-635-8537 | jd-johnson@bethel.edu
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