The Upper Iowa volleyball program and Head Coach Aaron Nelson have received a National Letter of Intent from four high school seniors to continue their academic and athletic careers at UIU. The quartet of standouts include Carlee Dove, Sarah Johnson, Jaima Tonne, and Kylie Willis.
 
"This group was chosen to replace a very successful senior class that helped elevate our program into the top of the Northern Sun," stated Nelson.  "They are highly skilled volleyball players and even better people.  We have had great luck bringing in individuals that fit perfectly into our volleyball family and what we are trying to create with our program and these four are no exception.  They are high character, high energy and all have solid floors on which to build toward very high ceilings on and off the court.  They are part of the next generation of Peacock volleyball, and we are extremely excited to have them joining our family in the fall."
 
Dove, a 6-3 middle blocker, will graduate from Dike-New Hartford High School this spring. As a senior, she earned All-North Iowa Cedar League first team honors and a spot on the Iowa Class 2A All-Northeast District team. Her selection to the all-conference team was her second; Dove was an All-North Iowa Cedar League second team performer as a junior.
 
"Carlee comes from very successful high school and club programs so she has a solid understanding of what it takes to be successful at the highest levels," said Nelson.  "As a middle blocker, she works hard on every play to get hands in front of hitters on defense and then to make herself available as an attacker on offense.   She does a great job using her length and taking advantage of the angles she can take away and create.  We are looking forward to seeing her grow as she gets into the college game in our system."
 
Dove recorded 518 kills and 187 blocks in her time at Dike-New Hartford including 266 kills, 53 block assists, and 29 solo blocks as a senior. The Dike, Iowa native received the Iowa Girl's High School Athletic Union's Distinguished in Academic Achievement Award all four years.

Dove is the daughter of Byron and Laura Dove and plans to study art and graphic design at Upper Iowa.
 
Johnson comes to Upper Iowa from Elk River, Minn. where she attended Elk River High School. The 6-0 middle blocker holds the school records for most blocks in a single season (159 in 2017) and total blocks after tallying 367 in her career. As a senior captain, Johnson recorded 97 total blocks, 21 solo blocks, 265 kills, 196 digs, and 31 service aces. She led the state in blocks both her sophomore (110) and junior (159) season and ranked third her senior year (97).
 
"Sarah has been one of the top blockers in Minnesota the last three years," said Nelson.  "She has great vision, relentless work ethic and does a great job of taking away space and angles from opposing attackers.  She also played in the back row and got a chance to show how complete she is as a player and leader on the floor. "
 
The Elk River, Minn. native received all-conference honorable mention accolades as a sophomore and junior before being selected to the all-conference team as a senior. Johnson was also a member of the All-State Academic team as a senior.
 
Johnson is the daughter of Chris and Katie and plans to study business at Upper Iowa.

Tonne, a 5-11 setter from Jesup, Iowa, will join her sister Krisha, a redshirt-junior, as part of the fall 2019 squad. Tonne earned All-North Iowa Cedar League honors on three occasions during her time at Jesup High School. She claimed second team honors after her sophomore and senior campaigns to go with an honorable mention nod as a freshman.
 
"Jaima has shown the ability to be a great team leader and example on and off the floor," said Nelson.  "She is a very positive, upbeat person whose smile tends to be infectious to those around her.   As a 5-11, left-handed setter, she is a very good blocker that also understands how to use her size to be aggressive on offense and create points on her own.  She has quick feet, very consistent contact and always does a great job putting her hitters in position to be successful."
 
Tonne was also a two-time member of the All-Iowa Academic team and received Iowa Class 2A All-Northeast District honors her sophomore year. The Jesup, Iowa product accumulated 2079 assists, 210 blocks, and 499 digs over three years.
 
Tonne is the daughter of Brian and Rayla Tonne and plans to study elementary education at Upper Iowa.
 
Willis wrapped up her senior season at Grundy Center High School this fall. The 5-10 middle blocker was a three-time All-North Iowa Cedar League first team performer, three-time Iowa Class 2A All-Northeast District team member, and three-time Outstanding Player in the Conference honoree. Willis earned a spot on the Class 2A All-State second team in both 2016 and 2017, as well as the Class 2A State All-Tournament team in 2017. She received a Des Moines Register All-Iowa Honorable Mention nod following her junior campaign.
 
"Kylie is a well-rounded individual and a talented three-sport athlete," said Nelson.  "She is a fierce competitor with a high volleyball IQ, and she is a great leader on and off the floor.  She is a versatile athlete that can play numerous positions in the front and back row.  She will have the opportunity to contribute in a variety of ways and will help make our gym more competitive the moment she sets foot in Dorman."
 
Willis finished her impressive career with 1,031 kills, 702 digs, and 372 blocks after recording 275 kills, 202 digs, and 80 blocks in her final season.
 
Willis is the daughter of Jesse and Lori Willis and plans to study exercise science at Upper Iowa. Both Jesse ('98) and Lori ('99) are four-year letter winners and graduates of Upper Iowa; Jesse was a quarterback with the Peacock football team and threw a program-record 26 touchdowns as a senior, while Lori was an outside hitter with the volleyball team and put down 443 kills in her time in Fayette.
 
The 2018 Peacock volleyball team (18-11, 11-9 NSIC) earned a second straight berth into the Northern Sun Conference Tournament this past season after posting the second-most wins in program history. The 18 wins this season follow last year's record-setting 21 wins. UIU touted one of the best defenses in the high-powered NSIC this season posting the most digs in the conference (19.9/set), the second-best opponent hitting percentage (.164) and the sixth most blocks (2.0/set).
 
The NSIC named three Peacocks to all-conference teams including junior Anna Winter (first team), senior Malissa LeClaire (second team) and junior Haley Weepie (second team). Winter's honor is her second straight after earning second team honors in 2017. The last time UIU had a first team honoree was in 2011 with Sara Vance garnering the award. UIU had three performers on the All-NSIC team once before in 2012, but Skylar Lesan, Kayla Wagner and Melanie Behnke were all on the second team.