Upcoming Event: Women's Volleyball versus North Dakota on November 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
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7:00 p.m.
Women's Volleyball
vs North Dakota
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South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: SDSU Sports Information
11/11/2026 8:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BROOKINGS, S.D. - The SDSU volleyball program announced the addition of five incoming freshmen to the program on National Signing Day. Alli Bornschlegl, Alyssa Gray, Mya Van Westen, Meghan McCarthy, and Kaydence Fjerstad will join the Jackrabbits for the 2027 season.
Alli Bornschlegl | OH | 5-11 | Roca, Nebraska | Norris H.S
A 2025 AVCA all-region pick, Bornschlegl put up 524 kills on a .408 hitting percentage as a senior at Norris High School, while adding 316 digs and 52 aces. This season, she was named First Team All-State and First Team All-Nebraska. She was named an AVCA High School All-American in 2025. She was honored at the Nike Tournament of Champions on the All-Tournament Team. She plans on majoring in nursing at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "Alli is a polished six rotation outside who will make the transition to the college game very quickly. Competing at a high level with VC Nebraska and winning multiple state championships for Norris High School, Alli is a winner who is capable of continuing our championship culture here in Brookings. She provides talent in the front and back row that fills multiple needs from our graduating class."
Kaydence Fjerstad | OH/RS | 6-0 | Byron, Minnesota | Byron High School
A 2026 Minnesota volleyball All-State Team selection, Fjerstad put up 6.9 kills per set this past season, while averaging four digs per set. She was honored as part of the Star Tribune's Strib Varsity: Top Minnesota volleyball players, in addition to being named to a plethora of All-Tournament teams and an All-Conference Selection all four years at Byron High School. In addition to her volleyball success, the Byron native is an accomplished softball player, being named First Team All-State and Minnesota State Tournament All-Tournament Team in 2025 and 2026.
She plans on majoring in business, marketing, or elementary education at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: Adding another pin hitter to this recruiting class who can score like Kaydence is an absolute X-factor. I couldn't be more impressed with Kaydence's athletic ability and her gift to terminate the ball. An experienced softball player, her arm mechanics allow for a quick whip that produces a high velocity. We are excited to see what this Southern Minnesota Volleyball Club product can do at the next level."
Alyssa Gray l | MB | 6-4 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Pewaukee H.S.
A middle blocker from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Gray was named to the JVA Watch List in 2026 after being named to the AVCA Phenoms list in 2025. In addition to her work on the court, Gray has finished each year of high school on the high honor roll with distinction.
Coming from an athletic family, Gray's father played volleyball at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, while her aunt and uncle both played collegiate basketball. She plans on majoring in biochemistry in the pre-med track or nursing at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "We've had some really successful blocking teams the last couple of years, so adding Alyssa to our middle blocker group ensures that physicality sustains for years to come. Alyssa's size allows her to play way above the net, but she's nowhere near her ceiling yet. After time in our gym, her growth will take her to new levels that will be fun to watch. This Milwaukee Sting VBC commit wants to be great, and we want to help her get there."
Meghan McCarthy l | S | 5-11 | Blaine, Minnesota | Blaine H.S.
A four-year starter at Blaine High School, McCarthy will bring a new wrinkle to the Jacks' offense next season. McCarthy was an NWSC All-Conference Selection in 2024. A National Honor Society member, McCarthy is ranked as the ninth-best setter in Minnesota by PrepDig. She plans on majoring in biology at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "Arriving in Brookings this January, Meghan will benefit from a semester of spring training before the rest of her class arrives next fall. An accomplished setter from MN Select Volleyball Club, Meghan has a smooth delivery and tempo that consistently puts her hitters in one-on-one situations. I've enjoyed her maturity during the recruiting process, and I know she'll be a successful leader for our group in the future."
Mya Van Westen | DS/Libero | 5-6 | Brandon, S.D. | Brandon Valley H.S.
A native of Brandon, S.D., Mya Van Westen was a South Dakota AA All-Second Team Selection in 2025, alongside a Metro All-Conference pick and ESD All-Conference Selection. She has been named a captain at Brandon Valley twice in both 2025 and 2026 and picked up her 1,000th dig this season, currently sitting at 1,327, a new school record. She averaged 14 digs a game as a senior.
She is a National Honor Society Member and has received an Academic Letter three years in a row at Brandon Valley. She plans on majoring in business at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "A quiet killer from our home state, Mya's calm demeanor allows her play to do the talking. An extremely athletic and mobile libero, Mya's ability to move around the court positions her for play-making opportunities in all phases of the game. With great angles in serve receive, there's no doubt that another Kairos VBC alum arrives on campus and immediately makes our gym better."
Alli Bornschlegl | OH | 5-11 | Roca, Nebraska | Norris H.S
A 2025 AVCA all-region pick, Bornschlegl put up 524 kills on a .408 hitting percentage as a senior at Norris High School, while adding 316 digs and 52 aces. This season, she was named First Team All-State and First Team All-Nebraska. She was named an AVCA High School All-American in 2025. She was honored at the Nike Tournament of Champions on the All-Tournament Team. She plans on majoring in nursing at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "Alli is a polished six rotation outside who will make the transition to the college game very quickly. Competing at a high level with VC Nebraska and winning multiple state championships for Norris High School, Alli is a winner who is capable of continuing our championship culture here in Brookings. She provides talent in the front and back row that fills multiple needs from our graduating class."
Kaydence Fjerstad | OH/RS | 6-0 | Byron, Minnesota | Byron High School
A 2026 Minnesota volleyball All-State Team selection, Fjerstad put up 6.9 kills per set this past season, while averaging four digs per set. She was honored as part of the Star Tribune's Strib Varsity: Top Minnesota volleyball players, in addition to being named to a plethora of All-Tournament teams and an All-Conference Selection all four years at Byron High School. In addition to her volleyball success, the Byron native is an accomplished softball player, being named First Team All-State and Minnesota State Tournament All-Tournament Team in 2025 and 2026.
She plans on majoring in business, marketing, or elementary education at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: Adding another pin hitter to this recruiting class who can score like Kaydence is an absolute X-factor. I couldn't be more impressed with Kaydence's athletic ability and her gift to terminate the ball. An experienced softball player, her arm mechanics allow for a quick whip that produces a high velocity. We are excited to see what this Southern Minnesota Volleyball Club product can do at the next level."
Alyssa Gray l | MB | 6-4 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Pewaukee H.S.
A middle blocker from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Gray was named to the JVA Watch List in 2026 after being named to the AVCA Phenoms list in 2025. In addition to her work on the court, Gray has finished each year of high school on the high honor roll with distinction.
Coming from an athletic family, Gray's father played volleyball at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, while her aunt and uncle both played collegiate basketball. She plans on majoring in biochemistry in the pre-med track or nursing at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "We've had some really successful blocking teams the last couple of years, so adding Alyssa to our middle blocker group ensures that physicality sustains for years to come. Alyssa's size allows her to play way above the net, but she's nowhere near her ceiling yet. After time in our gym, her growth will take her to new levels that will be fun to watch. This Milwaukee Sting VBC commit wants to be great, and we want to help her get there."
Meghan McCarthy l | S | 5-11 | Blaine, Minnesota | Blaine H.S.
A four-year starter at Blaine High School, McCarthy will bring a new wrinkle to the Jacks' offense next season. McCarthy was an NWSC All-Conference Selection in 2024. A National Honor Society member, McCarthy is ranked as the ninth-best setter in Minnesota by PrepDig. She plans on majoring in biology at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "Arriving in Brookings this January, Meghan will benefit from a semester of spring training before the rest of her class arrives next fall. An accomplished setter from MN Select Volleyball Club, Meghan has a smooth delivery and tempo that consistently puts her hitters in one-on-one situations. I've enjoyed her maturity during the recruiting process, and I know she'll be a successful leader for our group in the future."
Mya Van Westen | DS/Libero | 5-6 | Brandon, S.D. | Brandon Valley H.S.
A native of Brandon, S.D., Mya Van Westen was a South Dakota AA All-Second Team Selection in 2025, alongside a Metro All-Conference pick and ESD All-Conference Selection. She has been named a captain at Brandon Valley twice in both 2025 and 2026 and picked up her 1,000th dig this season, currently sitting at 1,327, a new school record. She averaged 14 digs a game as a senior.
She is a National Honor Society Member and has received an Academic Letter three years in a row at Brandon Valley. She plans on majoring in business at SDSU.
Coach Georgalas' thoughts: "A quiet killer from our home state, Mya's calm demeanor allows her play to do the talking. An extremely athletic and mobile libero, Mya's ability to move around the court positions her for play-making opportunities in all phases of the game. With great angles in serve receive, there's no doubt that another Kairos VBC alum arrives on campus and immediately makes our gym better."
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