Spearfish, SD – Head Coach Kristin Carmichael of the Black Hills State University volleyball team is excited to announce four signees to the 2020 volleyball team. Joining the team is Emma DeSanti (right side setter), Jessica Crane (Pin Hitter), Phoenix Wilke (Middle Hitter), and Abigail Renner (pin hitter).

DeSanti plans to major in Entrepreneurial Business Studies having chose BHSU for it's scenic location and educational programs. The Kremmling, CO. native was captain of her team junior and senior year. Her Junior year, DeSanti was named All-Conference and honorable mention All-State. Her team qualified for the state meet her senior year. In her 226 set career, she's posted 400 kills, 130 aces, 648 digs, and a whopping 4.1 assists a set for a total of 923.

"Emma is a gifted multi-sport athlete," said Carmichael. "Emma is a very intelligent player; she runs an efficient offense as a setter and she is also an aggressive attacker that can score from multiple positions along the net. She is capable of putting up big numbers in multiple statistical categories and contributing as a 6-rotation player.  We are excited for her future as a Yellow Jacket."

Crane hails from Laramie, Wyoming. Her junior year, she posted 93 regular season kills on her teams way to a second place finishing at the Wyoming 4A state tournament. Named captain her senior year, she led the team and ranked in the top ten of all Wyoming players with 252 regular season kills. That led the team to a fifth place state finish and garnered her All-State and All- Conference honors. She intends to major in Health Sciences with ambitions of being a physician's assistant.

"Jessica first impressed us and stood out at our summer camp, where she showed not only her skills but her leadership qualities and character," said Carmichael. "Jessica communicates well on the floor and swings with a strong arm.  She brings a differently style of play to our pin-hitter positions and we expect her to challenge for playing time right away."

Wilke, the Firestone, CO. native, chose BHSU to become an illustrator. She was a member of her high school team that qualified for the CO state meet both her junior and senior year. This past season, Wilke lead the Tri Valley League in kill percentage and was number three in all of Colorado. She recorded a total of 178 kills.

"Phoenix not only adds height to our middle hitter position, she also brings a positive presence and willingness to learn to our program," said Carmichael. "Phoenix plays at a high level in both high school and club, which will help her as she works on adjusting to the speed of the game from the middle position.  We are excited about what Phoenix can do both offensively and defensively, as opponents will have to adjust to her.  We believe Phoenix has the potential to compete for playing time right away."

Renner comes to BHSU from Lander, Wyoming, where she was captain her junior and senior years. She led her team to two state appearances. From her sophomore to senior year, she posted 1029 kills and 853 digs. She is coming to Black Hills because of the outdoors atmosphere and will major in pre-med with aspirations to be a neurologist.

"Abby is a very athletic player who jumps well and has a great work ethic, she also fits in really well with our team culture, said Carmichael. "Abby is smart and fast which will help her as she adapts to the college level game and builds on her skills as a 6-rotation pin hitter.  We are excited to see what Abby can do as a part of the Yellow Jacket Family."

###
Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.
---BHSUAthletics.com---