CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the addition of Mara Weisensel (MH, 6-0, New Ulm, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Weisensel joins Kenzee Langlie (S, 5-6, Fargo, N.D./Fargo Davies H.S.) and Charlee Krieg (MH/OH, 5-9, Cavalier, N.D./Cavalier H.S.) as signees in the 2020 recruiting class for Head Coach Sarah Rauen and the Golden Eagles. 

"We are very excited to add Mara to our team for next year, and can't wait to see her in a Golden Eagle uniform," said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. Mara is a dynamic player who will add plenty of athleticism to our middle position, and is a great addition to our team on the court and in the classroom."

Weisensel aids the Golden Eagles efforts to help replace five seniors that the program lost at the conclusion of the 2019 season in Kaitlin Sikkink (Sr., MH, St. Charles, Minn.), Sabrina Leuer (R-Sr., OH/RS, Hamel, Minn.), Ali Schueler (R-Sr., DS, Howards Grove, Wis.), Alyssa Thomas (Sr., OH/DS, Marion, Iowa), and Meli Rodriguez (Sr., MH, Sarchi, Costa Rica).

Weisensel joins Krieg in helping the Golden Eagles add competition to the middle hitter position that returns Shelby Dunbar (Fr., MH, Fertile, Minn.) to the fray from the 2019 slate. She gives the Golden Eagles another six-footer in the middle of their block and will also be a dynamic player that will add her athleticism to the attack.

Minnesota Crookston posted a 4-24 (2-18 NSIC) mark, but the record was not indicative of the improvement that was shown by the Golden Eagles as they were highly competitive in many matches. Minnesota Crookston took a set apiece from two historically strong NSIC programs in Minnesota State University and Southwest Minnesota State University. Minnesota Crookston is currently entering their fourth season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen.

The student-athletes listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play volleyball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Mara Weisensel (MH, 6-0, New Ulm, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S.)
Weisensel was the New Ulm Journal Player of the Year in 2019. She was the Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year during her senior season. Weisensel helped Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S. to a 24-2 mark as a senior. She was an All-Tomahawk Conference First Team pick during the 2019 season. Weisensel was also named All-Tomahawk Conference First Team in 2018. She was an All-Tomahawk Conference Honorable Mention selection as a sophomore in 2017.

Weisensel was born Aug. 28, 2002. She is the daughter of Loren and Dawn Weisensel. Weisensel plans to major in business management. Her mother Dawn Weisensel played volleyball and basketball at Martin Luther College. Her sister Rylee Weisensel played volleyball and ran track at Martin Luther College.