CEDAR FALLS – UNI volleyball this week signed five prep athletes to its 2024 recruiting class as part of National Signing Day.
This year’s class includes Dike, Iowa products Maryn Bixby and Jadyn Petersen, Nebraska standout setter Reese Booth, 2023 North Iowa Cedar League (NICL) Player of the Year Isabelle Elliott and 5A state champion Kamryn Vogt.
“We are so excited to welcome our 2024 recruiting class and cannot wait to see what these young women will bring to our program,” said UNI head volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen. “They are driven, committed, and passionate and have all competed on strong high school teams and in nationally competitive club programs. This is an athletic group that has each excelled in sports other than volleyball adding to their athleticism. They also have a high commitment to academics, are great teammates and bring positive and gritty personalities to the gym. We are thrilled to have each of them and their families as members of our UNI Panther volleyball family!”
MARYN BIXBY – Dike, Iowa (Dike-New Hartford HS) – Middle Blocker
A four-year letter winner from volleyball powerhouse Dike-New Hartford High School, Bixby is a three-time Iowa Class 2A state champion middle blocker with the Wolverines (2020, 2021, 2023), and 2022 state runner-up. Selected to this year’s Class 2A All-Tournament Team, she has been All-NICL recognition three times, including first team honors this season. Bixby was also selected to participate in the 2023 IGCA All-Star Game, while also picking up AVCA All-Region and All-Academic recognition this year. She also was named AVCA Second Team All-America this season, and Third Team All-State and All-District as a junior in 2022.
A decorated multi-sport athlete, Bixby has also helped Dike-New Hartford as a successful shooting guard in basketball, helping the Wolverines clinch three consecutive state titles (2021-23) while also earning a pair of All-NICL honors. She is also a seasoned golfer, being twice named to the All-State and All-NICL teams and qualifying for the state tournament as an individual last spring. Her play has also helped Dike-New Hartford place third at the state championships in 2022 and seventh in 2021.
“Maryn is an athletic player who could compete at both middle and right,” said Coach Petersen. “She immediately adds size and quickness to those positions as she moves easily laterally and in transition. With her speed and length, she is able to close the block at the pins and be a fast tempo option in offense. We are looking forward to her continuing to gain strength in our program and so excited about her ceiling height.”
Bixby is the daughter of Chad and Alison Bixby, and younger sister of Benton.
REESE BOOTH – Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn North HS) – Setter
One of the top setters from just across the Missouri River, Booth has been a key factor in helping Elkhorn North High School to three straight Nebraska Class B state tournament appearances, including a pair of semifinal berths (2021, 2023) and a runner-up finish in 2022. A three-time All-State performer, Booth earned first team honors as senior after second team recognition in 2022 and honorable mention distinction as a sophomore, while also being named to the All-Eastern Midland Conference and All-Omaha area team twice.
An effective wing in basketball, Booth has helped Elkhorn North to three straight Class B state championships (2021-23), while also earning All-State Honorable Mention, All-Conference and All-Omaha area honors twice. A dedicated student, she was named Academic All-State in 2023, and also serves on the student council and is a National Honor Society member.
“Reese is a go getter on the court and comes from a strong volleyball family,” Coach Petersen said. “We are excited to not only add her athleticism, but also her strong volleyball IQ and ability to run an offense. Reese is quick to the ball, has great instincts and consistent set location. She also brings defensive skill and scrappiness along with a tough serve. She has a personality that her teammates want to play hard for and knows how to win.”
Booth is the daughter of Erik and Kirsten Booth, and sister of Hayden and Berkeley. Her mother, Kirsten is in her 21st season as the head women’s volleyball coach at Creighton University.
ISABLLE ELLIOTT – Sumner, Iowa (Sumner-Fredericksburg HS) – Outside Hitter
A four-time All-State attacker, Elliott left an indelible mark on the Sumner-Fredericksburg volleyball program in her career, helping the Cougars to three state tournament appearances. The 2023 NICL East Player of the Year and four-time all-conference honor was named to both the Class 2A All-Tournament Team and Elite Team All-State.
On the club circuit, Elliott joined fellow UNI signees Maryn Bixby and Jadyn Petersen on the Six Pack Club’s 2023 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship team in the summer of 2023, going a perfect 11-0 at the national tournament in Chicago.
“Belle is someone that you would stereotype as the ideal volleyball physique,” said Coach Petersen. “She is tall, athletic, with long arms and is a great presence at the net. Belle is a physical blocker and has a quick and powerful arm that will score at a high level. She has experience on both the left and right pin and could have an impact in both positions at the college level. Belle has a great desire for learning and competing that will help drive her at the next level.”
Elliott is the daughter of Bryan Elliott and Camille Gipson, and older sister of Jameson, Claire, Lincoln and Lea. A multi-sport athlete for the Cougars, she also participates in basketball, softball and track and field at Sumner-Fredericksburg. Elliott was also recruited by Iowa State, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas State.
JADYN PETERSEN – Dike, Iowa (Dike-New Hartford HS) – Outside Hitter
One of the key pieces to Dike-New Hartford’s on-going volleyball dynasty, Petersen signs with the Panthers after appearing in four state tournaments with the Wolverines, including three Class 2A championships (2020, 2021, 2023) and a runner-up finish in 2022. She is also a 2023 AVCA Second Team All-American, a four-time 2A State All-Tournament Team selection, three-time All-District honoree and four-time All-NICL performer.
Petersen has also been highly successful on the club circuit with the Six Pack Club, joining fellow UNI signees Maryn Bixby and Isabelle Elliott on the Six Pack Club’s 2023 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship team in the summer of 2023, going a perfect 11-0 at the national tournament in Chicago.
A multi-sport athlete, Petersen has also been part of three consecutive state basketball championship teams at Dike-New Hartford (2021-23) as a two-time State All-Tournament selection and 2023 First Team All-State honoree. She has also been named All-NICL twice as a guard for the Wolverines.
On the track, Petersen is a three-time letterwinner in sprints, mid-distance and the long jump, competing at the last three IGHSAU state championship meets, as well as the 2022 and 2023 Drake Relays.
“Jadyn is a versatile athlete who brings speed and quickness as well as a get after it strong work ethic to our defensive specialist/libero position,” explained Coach Petersen. “She reads the game well, has great range and could help us in any of the three backcourt positions. She also has the ability to bring a heavy attack from the backcourt as she played as an outside hitter. With her competitive drive and volleyball IQ we are excited to see what Jadyn can add to our ball control and defense.”
A member of the decorated Petersen athletic family, Jadyn is the daughter of Duane and Bobbi Petersen, and sister of Baylee, Sydney and Payton. Her mother, Bobbi is currently in her 24th season as UNI’s head volleyball coach, while her aunt, Michelle Bolte is the program’s Director of Volleyball Operations. Both Baylee and Sydney played collegiately, with Bailey at UNI (2018) and Sydney at both Texas (2018-21) and UNI (2022). Her twin sister, Payton has committed to play at Louisville. Jadyn’s father, Duane played football at UNI from 1986 to 1989.
KAMRYN VOGT – Urbandale, Iowa (Waukee Northwest HS) – Middle Hitter/Right Side/Setter
A multi-positional player from the Des Moines metro area, Vogt signs with UNI fresh off a Class 5A state championship with Waukee Northwest. Vogt, a three-time All-Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) performer, was a three-time letterwinner with the Wolves, earning All-District honors in 2022 and helping lead Waukee Northwest to a CIML title in 2021
Vogt has also found success on the track as a hurdler and sprinter for the Wolves, contributing to a 5A track and field team championship in 2023, where she placed third in the shuttle hurdle relay. She also placed third in the event last spring at the Drake Relays in a season where she was named as an Elite All-State selection. Vogt has also played basketball for Waukee Northwest the last three winters.
“Kamryn is a 6’0 blocker/attacker that comes from an athletic family and will add depth and strength to our middle and right side position,” Coach Petersen said. “She moves quickly along the net as a blocker and also can attack at different tempos in the middle and right. Kamryn brings a competitive drive and an accountability to herself and her teammates that will benefit her as well as our team at the next level.”
Vogt is the daughter of Adam and Jodi Vogt. Her mother, Jodi played volleyball for UNI from 1997-2000 and went on to become her high school coach, while her father, Adam played football for the Panthers (1997-01). Two of her uncles were also UNI athletes, including current Drake University men’s basketball coach Darian (1994-98) and Dusty (Football, 2000).
