NDSU Volleyball Signs Three in Early Signing Period

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head volleyball coach Kari Thompson announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the first day of the one-week early signing period.

Jessica Jorgensen of Blaine High School (Minn.), Brianna Rasmusson of Fergus Falls High School (Minn.), and Mikaela Purnell of Minnetonka High School (Minn.), have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and play volleyball at NDSU. All three are expected to join the Bison in the fall of 2014.

Jorgensen, a 6-1 middle blocker, was a Minnesota Class AAA all-state selection as a senior in 2013. As a junior in 2012, she earned all-conference and honorable mention all-state recognition while leading Blaine HS to a third-place finish at the state tournament. Jorgensen was a member of conference champion and section champion teams in 2011 and 2012, and she served as a team captain as a senior in 2013.

Rasmusson, a 5-11 setter, led Fergus Falls High School to a third-place finish at the Minnesota Class AA state volleyball tournament as a senior in 2013. She was an all-state and all-tournament team selection as a senior, honorable mention all-state as a junior, and a four-time all-conference honoree. Rasmusson is also an all-state basketball player, scoring more than 1,000 career points and setting the school’s all-time assists record before the end of her junior season. She has helped lead the Fergus Falls basketball team to 59 wins and two state tournament appearances in the last two years. In track and field, Rasmusson is an all-conference performer and state meet participant in the long jump and sprints, as well as the school record holder and a state meet qualifier in the triple jump.

Mikaela Purnell, a 5-9 libero/outside hitter, was an all-state performer as a senior in Class AAA for Minnetonka High School. She was voted Most Valuable Player after leading her team to a 22-5 record and Lake Conference championship in 2013 and was an all-conference honoree in 2012 and 2013. Purnell owns the fourth- and fifth-highest single-season dig totals in school history, and she also ranks third all-time at Minnetonka in kills. She concluded her volleyball career as a five-time letterwinner.

NDSU has won five of its last seven matches to move into fifth place in The Summit League with a 6-6 league record. The Bison close the regular season at IUPUI and Fort Wayne on Nov. 15-16.