CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the addition of
Natalie Koke (S, 5-8, Caledonia, Wis./Racine St. Catherine's H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Koke is the fifth and final signee for the Golden Eagles for the 2018 recruiting class. She is the third high school prep to sign with Minnesota Crookston. Koke will begin competing for the Golden Eagles during the 2018 season.
"We are very happy to be adding Natalie to our Golden Eagle family, and cannot wait to have her in the gym, the classroom and the community," said Head Coach
Sarah Rauen. "Natalie will add depth to our setting position, as well as continue to raise the level of competition in the gym. We look forward to having her in a Golden Eagle uniform for the next four years!"
Koke joins
Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S, Rochester, Minn.) at setter heading into the 2018 season. Koke will compete and push for playing time as a freshman for the Golden Eagles.
She joins
Porsha Porath (OH, 6-1, Windom, Minn./Windom H.S.) and
Hannah Stark (OH, 5-10, Esko, Minn./Esko H.S.) as incoming freshmen for Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles also inked a pair of junior college signees in
Lauren Ulibarri (DS/Lib., 5-5, Flagstaff, Ariz./Yavapai College) and
Melissa Rodriguez (MH, 6-0, Sarchi, Costa Rica/Otero Junior College (Colo.).
Minnesota Crookston has been able to bring in top talent from the region, nationally and internationally with their 2018 signing class. Porath and Stark are both top preps in the state of Minnesota, Koke is a top prep regionally, while Rodriguez is a top international talent from the junior college level, and Ulibarri represents the western region as a top junior college player. All five will help to strengthen and add competition and depth to their respective position groups.
The Golden Eagles are heading into Coach Rauen's second season with the program. Minnesota Crookston is looking to improve on a 7-21 (4-15 NSIC) record in 2017. The Golden Eagles return nine players from last season's team as they look to continue to show improvement from last season. Minnesota Crookston returns three players with significant starting experience in
Schapekahm, Schueler, and
Sikkink.
Deaira Gresham (So., OH, Maplewood, Minn.) also logged significant time as a freshman for Minnesota Crookston. Schapekahm notched 1.28 kills and 0.54 blocks per set as a junior. Sikkink tallied 1.47 kills and 0.59 blocks per set in 2017, while Schueler notched 1.88 digs per set. Gresham tallied 1.57 kills and 1.21 digs per set.
The Golden Eagles also return
Sabrina Leuer (R-Jr., OH, Hamel, Minn.) from injury, who looks to factor into the lineup for Minnesota Crookston.
Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S, Rochester, Minn.) and
Lienemann saw limited time in their first seasons with the squad, while
Lauren Wallace (R-So., MH/OH, Bloomington, Minn.) and Thomas sat out last season. All four players look to push to see the court this season. Koke, Ulibarri, Rodriguez, Porath and Stark will all compete with the returnees to see the floor in 2018.
Natalie Koke/S/5-8/Caledonia, Wis./Racine St. Catherine's H.S.
Koke was a Second Team All-Metro Classic Conference pick and a Second Team All-County selection as a senior for St. Catherine's H.S. in Racine, Wis. She also served as team captain during her senior season. Koke averaged 1.7 kills and 3.1 assists per set as a senior. She also notched 2.8 digs per set. As a junior, Koke was an All-Metro Classic Conference Honorable Mention selection and served as team captain. She also earned the Sportsmanship Award. Koke tallied 1.4 kills and 5.8 assists per set during her junior campaign. She also notched 2.7 digs per set. As a sophomore, Koke was named All-Metro Classic Conference Honorable Mention and was named a preseason Player to Watch. She was also an honorable mention selection during her freshman season.
Koke is the daughter of Rick and Janie Koke. She was born Feb. 22, 2000. Koke plans to major in communication at Minnesota Crookston. Her uncle Andy Schmidtmann played basketball at Wisconsin-Parkside.
