University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Nielsen earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Division accolades in volleyball. She held the school record for ace spikes with 374 and notched 330 kills in 1988. In addition to competing on the volleyball court, Nielsen played women’s basketball for the Trojans. She had 212 rebounds during the 1987-88 season and notched 118 assists. Nielsen also competed in softball.
 
She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Valley City State University, where she was a four-sport standout in women’s basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field. Nielsen was an All-Conference selection in volleyball and women’s basketball at Valley City State. She helped the women’s basketball team to back-to-back conference championships. She has been a volleyball coach for over 25 years and currently resides in Billings, Mont., with her husband Kyle. She has adult children Kylie Samuelson (28), Reece Nielsen (24), and Devin Nielsen (22). Nielsen owns Grains of Montana Bakery.