MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head volleyball coach Tyler Boddy has officially announced five high school student-athletes and one transfer student-athlete have signed letters of intent to continue their academic and volleyball careers at SMSU.
 
Joining the program for the 2026 season include high school standouts Reese Drake from Marshall, Minn., Avery Fahl from Marshall, Minn., Lindsay Kruse from Saint Ansgar, Iowa, Tatem Schmidt from Huxley, Iowa, and Makenzie Walsh from Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Mollie Rupp, a native of Bemidji, Minn., and a transfer from the University of Minnesota Duluth, is already enrolled at SMSU this spring and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
 
"We're very excited about this group. They're not only talented volleyball players, but they're also good students who understand what it takes to compete at a high level," Boddy said. "They're going to raise the level of our gym every single day. Their presence will add depth, energy, and competition to our roster as we prepare for the fall season. Our staff believes this class will play a key role in continuing to build upon our competitive and strong team culture."
 
REESE DRAKE – Outside Hitter, 5-foot-8, Marshall, Minn. ... four-year letter winner for coach Dan Westby at Marshall High School ... member of Class AAA State Champion in 2023 and 2025 ... three-time all-conference selection ... two-time all-state selection ... named to Minnesota Star Tribune All-Minnesota team … Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year finalist ... MNVBCA All-Star game MVP in 2025 and 2026 ... earned state AAA all-tournament honors her junior and senior season … finished her career with 1,247 kills and 1,062 digs ... named Marshall Independent Volleyball Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025 … also played basketball, earning three all-conference selections and one all-state selection … named Marshall Independent Girls' Basketball Player of the Year in 2025 and 2026 …daughter of Chad and Renae Drake ... sister Kennedy is a member of the SMSU volleyball team.
 
AVERY FAHL – Middle Blocker, 6-foot, Marshall, Minn. ... four-year letter winner for coach Dan Westby at Marshall High School ... member of Class AAA State Champion in 2023 and 2025 … three-time all-conference selection ... two-time all-state selection … ... named to Minnesota Star Tribune All-Minnesota team … earned state AAA all-tournament honors her junior and senior season … recorded 365 kills during senior season … ended career with 861 kills … also lettered in basketball and track … earned all-conference in basketball during senior season … daughter of Angela and Jacob Fahl ... Angela played volleyball at SMSU, Jacob played basketball at SMSU ...
 
LINDSAY KRUSE – Middle Blocker, 6-foot-1, Saint Ansgar, Iowa … played for coach Stephanie Beaver at Saint Ansgar High School … first team all-state as a senior … earned second team all-state as a sophomore and junior … three time first team all-conference selection … conference player of the year as a senior … member of three regional championship teams … career record holder in kills and blocks … .525 hitting percentage with 314 kills and 76 blocks as a senior … also participated in basketball and track … two time second team all-conference in basketball … three-time state qualifier in discus … daughter of Brian and Lisa Kruse.
 
TATEM SCHMIDT – Setter/Right Side, 6-foot, Huxley, Iowa … played for coach Jessica Rinehart at Ankeny Centennial High School … second team all-state and first team all-conference as a senior … two-time AVCA all-region 6 selection … member of state tournament runner-up team as a senior … team advanced to state semifinals as a junior … also participated in track … daughter of Heather and Jared Schmidt.
 
MAKENZIE WALSH – Right Side, 6-foot-2, Sioux Falls, S.D. … played for coach Cale Hect at Sioux Falls O'Gorman High School … all-state selection and first team all-conference selection as a senior … closed with a .334 hitting percentage in her senior season … member of multiple state tournament teams … all-conference honorable mention as a junior … daughter of Jen and Tom Walsh.
 
MOLLIE RUPP – Outside Hitter, 5-foot-11, Bemidji, Minn. … played the 2025 season at the University of Minnesota Duluth ... appeared in 21 matches and 74 sets ... closed the season with 172 kills and 178 digs ... recorded a season-high 16 kills on 47 attempts at Wayne State ... also had 16 kills at Bemidji State ... had double figure kills in eight matches … 2025 graduate of Bemidji High School ... named to 2024 Minnesota Star Tribune All-Minnesota team ...  named team Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year as a senior ... holds the school record in kills ... earned academic all-state honors ... AP Scholar with Distinction ... member of the Honor Roll … daughter of Steph and Corey Rupp.  
 
SMSU, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mustangs closed the 2025 season 21-7 overall and was ranked No. 16 in the final AVCA Top 25 poll.