Volleyball Signs Three
November 14, 2005 | Volleyball
The University of Wisconsin volleyball program has announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent. Coach Pete Waite announced that Brittney Dolgner, Waupun, Wis.; Caity DuPont, Muskego, Wis.; and Nikki Klingsporn, Oakdale, Minn., will play for the Badgers beginning in the fall of 2006.
'I think this is an exceptional class and they're going to do some great things here at Wisconsin,' said Waite. 'Dolgner earned four WIAA state championships, DuPont just earned one last weekend, and Klingsporn led her team to the Minnesota state tournament for the first time in nine years. All three have great jump serves and that's an area we really wanted to improve. They are all proven winners and good students. We're excited about having them join our program.'
Dolgner, a 6-0 outside hitter, was named the 2004 National Junior of the Year by prepvolleyball.com and was named one of 25 Underclassmen to Watch in the April 2005 issue of Volleyball Magazine. She was a member of the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Youth national Team that earned a gold medal in the 2004 NORCECA Tournament. Dolgner is also a two-time Mizuno High School All-American and competes with the Wisconsin PoWer Volleyball Club.
'Brittney is a dynamic athlete who can impact many areas of the game,' said Waite. 'She's got great ball control in the back court and a wide variety of shots at the net. She's got the ability to elevate her game as needed and she's got one of the fastest arm swings we've seen.'
Dolgner recently led Waupun High School under coach Keith Milkowski to its fourth consecutive WIAA Division II state championship, earning state all-tournament team honors all four years. She was named the 2004 Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year and is a three-time first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association. Dolgner set her high school's all-time kill record with 2,148 kills.
DuPont, a 5-11 outside hitter, has twice attended the USA Volleyball High Performance Camp. She was also named one of 25 Underclassmen to Watch in the April 2005 issue of Volleyball Magazine. DuPont was named the most valuable player in the 16-open division at the 2004 USA Volleyball Junior Olympics, leading her Milwaukee Sting team to the national title.
'Caity is a fierce competitor with an intense attitude on the court,' said Waite. 'She's a powerful hitter and a solid blocker who can lead her team through her sheer will to win. Caity's older sister, Julie, was a star player at Cincinnati and Caity has the same great work ethic and desire. '
DuPont led Muskego High School under coach Karen Anderson to the 2005 WIAA State Division I championship. DuPont is a two-time first-team all-state selection and has been named to three state all-tournament teams. She is a two-time conference most valuable player and three-time all-conference selection. DuPont comes from the same high school program as current Badger Sheila Shaw.
Klingsporn, a 5-11 setter, is a prepvolleyball.com High School All-American and a top-50 recruit in the class of 2006. She has trained with the USA Volleyball A2 programs the past three summers. Klingsporn has twice been named to the all-tournament team at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics, leading her Minnesota One club team to top-five finishes.
'Nikki is a pure setter, she is deceptive and has great set location,' said Waite. 'We like her decision-making skills and her ability to run a quick offense. We know sports are in her blood since her mom Laura is her high school coach and her dad Mark is a high school basketball coach. Both have had great success at Tartan High School so we know Nikki's a winner.'
Klingsporn was named Minnesota's Ms. Volleyball 2005 and the 2005 Minneapolis Star Tribune Player of the Year. She also earned player of the year honors in 2004 by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a two-time first-team state selection by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association. Klingsporn has been starting and setting for Tartan High School since she was in eighth grade, setting the Titans to five consecutive Classic Suburban Conference titles.
