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South Dakota State University Athletics
VOLLEYBALL ADDS 4 TO 2026 SIGNING CLASS
11/12/2025 8:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BROOKINGS, S.D. - The South Dakota State volleyball team added four newcomers to the program Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Mallory Hartwig, Marisa Michaelis, Hannah Mlsna and Kennedey Whitford are set to join the Jackrabbit squad next fall.Â
Mallory Hartwig • 5-11 • Outside Hitter • Sauk City, Wis. • Sauk Prairie High School
Mallory Hartwig will join the Jackrabbits following graduation from Sauk Prairie High School.
Hartwig capped her high school career with a Wisconsin state championship this past weekend. Hartwig collected 510 kills in her senior campaign, which was third in Wisconsin's Division 2. Her scoring output, combined with 380 digs on the year, earned Hartwig conference player of the year accolades and all-state recognition. She finished her career with 1,141 kills, 884 digs, 147 aces and 141 total blocks. She was a two-time first-team all-conference pick.
Hartwig also earned first-team all-conference basketball honors as a junior last season and qualified for the state track meet in long jump and the 4x100 relay. That 4x100 relay squad holds the Sauk Prarie school record. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the high honor roll.
Hartwig is the daughter of Melissa (volleyball) and Nick (basketball), who both played collegiately at SIUE. Her sister, Maggie, is a member of the SDSU women's basketball team. Mallory plans to major in sports psychology at South Dakota State.
Coach Georgalas on Mallory Hartwig: "Coming off a Wisconsin state championship last week, Mallory is a proven winner. She's a skilled outside hitter who should enter our gym on day one and have a positive impact. Whether it's passing, attacking, or defending, Mallory is well-rounded and will make the transition to Summit League volleyball seamlessly. Joining her sister as a Jackrabbit, our fans will notice that being an elite competitor runs in the family."
Marisa Michaelis • 6-0 • Rightside Hitter • Woodbury, Minn. • New Life Academy
Marisa Michaelis is currently a senior at New Life Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota, where she was a four-year starter on the Eagles' volleyball team.
Michaelis helped New Life Academy reach four consecutive state tournaments and placed third twice - as a sophomore in 2023 and a as senior in 2025. Michaelis was a two-time all-state selection and all-state tournament team pick. She was recognized on the all-conference team three times.
As a senior in 2025, Michaelis led the Eagles to an undefeated conference season at 18-0. She posted 320 kills, 211 digs, 52 blocks and 50 aces in her senior campaign. Michaelis completed her high school career with 851 kills and 158 blocks.
With her club team, Michaelis finished in second place at USAV Nationals and ninth at AAU Nationals.
Michaelis is also a member of the New Life track and field team. She qualified for the Minnesota state meet for high jump in 2021 and 2022.
Michaelis has earned academic honor roll recognition and earned the Distinguished Christian High School Student Athletics Award for the 2024-25 year. She plans to major in marketing.
Michaelis is the daughter of Sean Michaelis and Emily Michaelis. Her mother ran track at Winona State. Her uncle, Steven Heiden, played football at South Dakota State from 1995 to 1999 and was drafted by the Chargers.
Coach Georgalas on Marisa Michaelis: "Any staff would be excited to add a lefty opposite such as Marisa. We've had some lefties at that position previously but never as an incoming freshman. Marisa's ability to score with range while being dynamic on the block will provide a new layer to our offense for years to come. With family ties to SDSU, we know she's a proud Jackrabbit and we are excited for her to join our locker room."
Hannah Mlsna • 6-3 • Rightside/Middle Blocker • Madison, Wis. • Madison Memorial High School
Hannah Mlsna will join the Jackrabbits next fall after graduation from Madison Memorial High School, where she was a four-year starter.
Mlsna was a three-time all-conference selection, with first-team honors coming in 2025. She had 305 kills and 95 blocks as a senior, which earned her all-state recognition. Also as a senior, Mlsna led the Spartans in kills, hitting percentage, blocks and ave serves.
With Mlsna leading the way, Memorial made sectional appearances in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Mlsna is also a member of the basketball and track and field teams at Memorial. She is a high academic achiever with multiple AP classes and academic honors.
Mlsma is the daughter of Jason Mlsna and Kelly Mlsna. She plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Georgalas on Hannah Mlsna: "Hannah will begin her Division I career with some physical tools that are hard to find. Her strength and explosive qualities will allow us to remain a powerful blocking team that is capable of controlling the style of play at the net. In addition, Hannah's arm shows the same great qualities. As her offensive skills continue to develop, she'll be a fantastic dual-threat middle blocker for our program in the future."
Kennedey Whitford • 5-4 • Defensive Specialist • Solon, Iowa • Solon High School
Kennedey Whitford is currently a senior at Solon High School in Solon, Iowa, where she recently finished her prep volleyball career.
Whitford earned first-team all-conference honors in her senior season with the Spartans. She set a new program record for career digs and tallied 446 in her senior campaign. She also tallied 116 assists and 51 aces in 2025.
Whitford is the daughter of Brien and Jennifer Whitford. She plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Georgalas on Kennedey Whitford: "As the first commit for us in this class, I'm sure Kennedey is eagerly awaiting to arrive on campus next summer. When she attended our summer camps, it didn't take long for our staff to recognize the athletic ability Kennedey possessed. Kennedey's instincts to read the game combined with a quick reaction time allows herself to be a defensive playmaker. She has great platform awareness too, which only helps her transition to a talented position group."
-GoJacks.com-
Mallory Hartwig, Marisa Michaelis, Hannah Mlsna and Kennedey Whitford are set to join the Jackrabbit squad next fall.Â
Mallory Hartwig • 5-11 • Outside Hitter • Sauk City, Wis. • Sauk Prairie High School
Mallory Hartwig will join the Jackrabbits following graduation from Sauk Prairie High School.
Hartwig capped her high school career with a Wisconsin state championship this past weekend. Hartwig collected 510 kills in her senior campaign, which was third in Wisconsin's Division 2. Her scoring output, combined with 380 digs on the year, earned Hartwig conference player of the year accolades and all-state recognition. She finished her career with 1,141 kills, 884 digs, 147 aces and 141 total blocks. She was a two-time first-team all-conference pick.
Hartwig also earned first-team all-conference basketball honors as a junior last season and qualified for the state track meet in long jump and the 4x100 relay. That 4x100 relay squad holds the Sauk Prarie school record. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the high honor roll.
Hartwig is the daughter of Melissa (volleyball) and Nick (basketball), who both played collegiately at SIUE. Her sister, Maggie, is a member of the SDSU women's basketball team. Mallory plans to major in sports psychology at South Dakota State.
Coach Georgalas on Mallory Hartwig: "Coming off a Wisconsin state championship last week, Mallory is a proven winner. She's a skilled outside hitter who should enter our gym on day one and have a positive impact. Whether it's passing, attacking, or defending, Mallory is well-rounded and will make the transition to Summit League volleyball seamlessly. Joining her sister as a Jackrabbit, our fans will notice that being an elite competitor runs in the family."
Marisa Michaelis • 6-0 • Rightside Hitter • Woodbury, Minn. • New Life Academy
Marisa Michaelis is currently a senior at New Life Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota, where she was a four-year starter on the Eagles' volleyball team.
Michaelis helped New Life Academy reach four consecutive state tournaments and placed third twice - as a sophomore in 2023 and a as senior in 2025. Michaelis was a two-time all-state selection and all-state tournament team pick. She was recognized on the all-conference team three times.
As a senior in 2025, Michaelis led the Eagles to an undefeated conference season at 18-0. She posted 320 kills, 211 digs, 52 blocks and 50 aces in her senior campaign. Michaelis completed her high school career with 851 kills and 158 blocks.
With her club team, Michaelis finished in second place at USAV Nationals and ninth at AAU Nationals.
Michaelis is also a member of the New Life track and field team. She qualified for the Minnesota state meet for high jump in 2021 and 2022.
Michaelis has earned academic honor roll recognition and earned the Distinguished Christian High School Student Athletics Award for the 2024-25 year. She plans to major in marketing.
Michaelis is the daughter of Sean Michaelis and Emily Michaelis. Her mother ran track at Winona State. Her uncle, Steven Heiden, played football at South Dakota State from 1995 to 1999 and was drafted by the Chargers.
Coach Georgalas on Marisa Michaelis: "Any staff would be excited to add a lefty opposite such as Marisa. We've had some lefties at that position previously but never as an incoming freshman. Marisa's ability to score with range while being dynamic on the block will provide a new layer to our offense for years to come. With family ties to SDSU, we know she's a proud Jackrabbit and we are excited for her to join our locker room."
Hannah Mlsna • 6-3 • Rightside/Middle Blocker • Madison, Wis. • Madison Memorial High School
Hannah Mlsna will join the Jackrabbits next fall after graduation from Madison Memorial High School, where she was a four-year starter.
Mlsna was a three-time all-conference selection, with first-team honors coming in 2025. She had 305 kills and 95 blocks as a senior, which earned her all-state recognition. Also as a senior, Mlsna led the Spartans in kills, hitting percentage, blocks and ave serves.
With Mlsna leading the way, Memorial made sectional appearances in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Mlsna is also a member of the basketball and track and field teams at Memorial. She is a high academic achiever with multiple AP classes and academic honors.
Mlsma is the daughter of Jason Mlsna and Kelly Mlsna. She plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Georgalas on Hannah Mlsna: "Hannah will begin her Division I career with some physical tools that are hard to find. Her strength and explosive qualities will allow us to remain a powerful blocking team that is capable of controlling the style of play at the net. In addition, Hannah's arm shows the same great qualities. As her offensive skills continue to develop, she'll be a fantastic dual-threat middle blocker for our program in the future."
Kennedey Whitford • 5-4 • Defensive Specialist • Solon, Iowa • Solon High School
Kennedey Whitford is currently a senior at Solon High School in Solon, Iowa, where she recently finished her prep volleyball career.
Whitford earned first-team all-conference honors in her senior season with the Spartans. She set a new program record for career digs and tallied 446 in her senior campaign. She also tallied 116 assists and 51 aces in 2025.
Whitford is the daughter of Brien and Jennifer Whitford. She plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Georgalas on Kennedey Whitford: "As the first commit for us in this class, I'm sure Kennedey is eagerly awaiting to arrive on campus next summer. When she attended our summer camps, it didn't take long for our staff to recognize the athletic ability Kennedey possessed. Kennedey's instincts to read the game combined with a quick reaction time allows herself to be a defensive playmaker. She has great platform awareness too, which only helps her transition to a talented position group."
-GoJacks.com-
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