NDSU Volleyball Announces Newcomers

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head volleyball coach Kari Thompson announced Tuesday, Nov. 29, the addition of six newcomers – 6-foot-2 outside hitter Allie Mauch (Barney, N.D./Wyndmere H.S.), 6-2 middle hitter Bella Lien (Rogers, Minn./Heritage Christian H.S.), 6-3 middle hitter Emily Halverson (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West H.S.), 5-9 outside hitter/setter Alexis Bachmeier (Fargo, N.D./North H.S.), 5-5 libero Emilee McGowan (Marion, Iowa/Linn Mar H.S.) and 6-foot outside hitter Hannah Gail (Wheaton, Minn./Wheaton-Herman-Norcross H.S.) – that will be joining the volleyball team in the fall of 2017.

Mauch, a 6-2 outside hitter, broke numerous records at Wyndmere High School, topping both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career. She was a two-time all-region and all-Wild Rice Conference performer in both volleyball and basketball. Mauch was a member of the first place 16-under Junior Olympic team at the 2015 national tournament in Chicago, and the third place 17-under J.O. team at the 2016 national tourney in Orlando in 2016. She was a regular on the honor roll, a distinguished scholar nominee and member of the National Honor Society.

Lien, a 6-2 middle hitter, was a Class A state all-tournament pick in leading Heritage Christian High School to the state semifinals and 26-11 record. She was a two-time all-MCAA conference selection and Star Tribune Player of the Week during her career. On the basketball court, Lien has been a two-time all-conference first team pick and also honorable mention all-area. She also competed in track and field. Lien has been active in the CFR Mentoring Program and has taken mission trips to Idaho/Alaska (2014) and Haiti (2015). She is a member of the National Honor Society and been involved in the Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy

Halverson, a 6-3 middle hitter, was a four-year starter for Iowa City West High School, which qualified for the state tournament her sophomore, junior and senior years. An all-conference second team and honorable mention selection during her career, she holds the state’s block assist record. Halverson has been a member of the Iowa Rockets top club team since the age of 13. The Rockets qualified for the national tournament each year. She was a two-year starter for the basketball team, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. A member of the National Honor Society, Halverson has been active with the Coralville Methodist Church, and volunteers for the Coralville Community Food Pantry and Agape free breakfast program.

Bachmeier, a 5-9 outside hitter/setter, was a four-year starter for Fargo North and recorded her 1,000th career kill this season. She was a nine-time letterwinner in volleyball and track and field for the Spartans. Bachmeier was member of an Asics National Championship team in 2015 and third place finisher at the 2013 national tournament in Florida. A member of the National Honor Society, she has been involved in her church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the mental health initiative Imagine Thriving.

McGowan, a 5-5 libero, was a first team all-conference and academic all-conference selection for Linn-Mar High School. She was a two-time second team all-conference selection in 2014 and 2015, also earning second team all-metro honors in 2015. McGowan is a four-time Iowa High Performance team selection and three-time Academic Award winner with honors. She is active with SODA (Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol) and TRY (Teens Reaching Youth).

Gail, a 6-foot outside hitter, was a two-time Pheasant Conference MVP and honorable mention all-state performer for Wheaton-Herman-Norcross High School. She was a three-time all-conference performer for the Wildcats and became the school’s all-time leader in kills this season. Gail was selected to the 2016 USA Volleyball National A2 Invitational Team Roster as a member of the Minnesota Select J.O. team. She also played on the basketball team that advanced Class A state tournament quarterfinals in 2016. A regular on the honor roll, Gail is a member of the National Honor Society and choir. 

North Dakota State finished the season with a 14-18 record overall including 11-5 in The Summit League. The Bison finished third during the regular season and reached the league tournament semifinals in Denver earlier this month.