University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Volleyball Sign Three On National Signing Day
11/13/2019 1:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI volleyball team welcomes three new additions, signing Tayler Alden, Olivia Tjernagel, and Megan Witte to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.
"We are extremely excited about our 2020 recruiting class and look forward to what these three student athletes will bring to our program," said Head Coach Bobbi Petersen. "Each of them are incredible athletes, with great work ethic, a hunger to compete, and have a high commitment to academics, all of which are important to our program. We are thrilled to have each of them and their families become members of the UNI Panther family."
Tayler Alden, Setter, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Tayler Alden is a 6'0 setter playing for Oconomowoc High School. Alden led the volleyball team to four straight state tournament appearances, earning All-State honors all four years and first team All-State as a junior and senior while landing on the All-Tournament team three times. The Raccoons finished 3rd in the Wisconsin State Tournament in 2017 and then finished 2nd in 2018 and 2019. Alden averaged 9.7 assist per set her senior season, while hitting .424 and recording 79 total blocks. Alden ended her career with 4,459 career assists. Alden is a two time Maxpreps High School All-American. Alden has been active on USA Volleyball teams, participating in USA Sand Volleyball A1 training and competing for the USA team in the World Challenge. Tayler is the daughter of Lisa and Donald Roberts, Tayler has one sibling, Lexi (21).
"We are excited by the potential Tayler brings to our program," said Petersen. "Tayler brings size and athleticism to our setter position. Her contact point is high and fast which allows us to have a lot of options offensively. As a lefty, she also is an aggressive attacker capable of challenging all areas of the court. Bringing Tayler aboard adds multiple possibilities to our offense over the next few years. Tayler has shown great leadership, controlling the offense and encouraging her teammates and we look for her continued growth as a competitor, and offensive leader for our team."
Olivia Tjernagel, Middle Hitter, Waconia, Minnesota
Olivia Tjernagel is a 6'0 middle hitter playing for Mayer Lutheran High School in Waconia, Minnesota. Tjernagel has been a successful middle for Mayer Lutheran, winning state titles in 2016 and 17 and earning a 3rd place finish a season ago. Tjernagel was named to the All-Tournament Team in 2016, earned 1st Team All-state in 2017, and was named the Herald Journal Player of the Year in 2018 after leading the state with 165 blocks. Tjernagel finished with 1,120 career kills, 203 solo blacks and 221 block assist. Tjernagel ends her career 2nd in Minnesota High School record books with 423 career blocks and was a Ms. Baden finalist, the yearly award is given to the top Minnesota volleyball player. Tjernagel also competed on the USA Women JR A1 Red team during the summer of 2019, finishing 4th in the Jr. Women's International division. Olivia is the daughter of Jennifer and Andrew Tjernagel, she has one sibling Garrett (20).
"Olivia also brings athleticism to our program and has competed at a high level in multiple sports in high school," said Petersen. "She has been a big contributor to her teams that have done well in volleyball and basketball. This experience will assist her in her ability to train as a Division I athlete. Olivia has the potential to make an impact in multiple positions for our program. She is a versatile athlete that we feel could compete in the middle or either pin. Attacking at any tempo and zone and her quick lateral movement, as well as a fast whip like arm are qualities that will assist her in competing at a high level."
Megan Witte, Outside Hitter, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Megan Witte is a 6'0 outside hitter, playing her prep career at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A multi-sport athlete, Witte has earned All-State honors in basketball and been a Drake Relays and Iowa High School State qualifier in track. Witte was a dominant outside hitter for Lewis Central, leading the Titans to back to back state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018. Witte earned 1st Team All-State honors after her junior season. In her senior season, Witte recorded 484 kills, 292 digs and 41 blocks. Witte was selected to play in the Iowa High school Senior Classic and ranked 7th in kills among all classes. Megan is the daughter of Rebecca and Bart Witte, and had one sibling Curtis (13).
"Megan comes in as an athlete who has the potential to play six rotations for our program," said Petersen. "She is a multi-sport athlete and has been able to excel in multiple sports throughout her high school years. She is also very athletic, and loves to compete. She has very natural movement and skill in ball control and defense and has potential to be a primary passer. Offensively, she is explosive and powerful and can attack at different tempos along different areas along the net. We are excited to be a part of Megan's growth as a volleyball student athlete."
"We are extremely excited about our 2020 recruiting class and look forward to what these three student athletes will bring to our program," said Head Coach Bobbi Petersen. "Each of them are incredible athletes, with great work ethic, a hunger to compete, and have a high commitment to academics, all of which are important to our program. We are thrilled to have each of them and their families become members of the UNI Panther family."
Tayler Alden, Setter, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Tayler Alden is a 6'0 setter playing for Oconomowoc High School. Alden led the volleyball team to four straight state tournament appearances, earning All-State honors all four years and first team All-State as a junior and senior while landing on the All-Tournament team three times. The Raccoons finished 3rd in the Wisconsin State Tournament in 2017 and then finished 2nd in 2018 and 2019. Alden averaged 9.7 assist per set her senior season, while hitting .424 and recording 79 total blocks. Alden ended her career with 4,459 career assists. Alden is a two time Maxpreps High School All-American. Alden has been active on USA Volleyball teams, participating in USA Sand Volleyball A1 training and competing for the USA team in the World Challenge. Tayler is the daughter of Lisa and Donald Roberts, Tayler has one sibling, Lexi (21).
"We are excited by the potential Tayler brings to our program," said Petersen. "Tayler brings size and athleticism to our setter position. Her contact point is high and fast which allows us to have a lot of options offensively. As a lefty, she also is an aggressive attacker capable of challenging all areas of the court. Bringing Tayler aboard adds multiple possibilities to our offense over the next few years. Tayler has shown great leadership, controlling the offense and encouraging her teammates and we look for her continued growth as a competitor, and offensive leader for our team."
Olivia Tjernagel, Middle Hitter, Waconia, Minnesota
Olivia Tjernagel is a 6'0 middle hitter playing for Mayer Lutheran High School in Waconia, Minnesota. Tjernagel has been a successful middle for Mayer Lutheran, winning state titles in 2016 and 17 and earning a 3rd place finish a season ago. Tjernagel was named to the All-Tournament Team in 2016, earned 1st Team All-state in 2017, and was named the Herald Journal Player of the Year in 2018 after leading the state with 165 blocks. Tjernagel finished with 1,120 career kills, 203 solo blacks and 221 block assist. Tjernagel ends her career 2nd in Minnesota High School record books with 423 career blocks and was a Ms. Baden finalist, the yearly award is given to the top Minnesota volleyball player. Tjernagel also competed on the USA Women JR A1 Red team during the summer of 2019, finishing 4th in the Jr. Women's International division. Olivia is the daughter of Jennifer and Andrew Tjernagel, she has one sibling Garrett (20).
"Olivia also brings athleticism to our program and has competed at a high level in multiple sports in high school," said Petersen. "She has been a big contributor to her teams that have done well in volleyball and basketball. This experience will assist her in her ability to train as a Division I athlete. Olivia has the potential to make an impact in multiple positions for our program. She is a versatile athlete that we feel could compete in the middle or either pin. Attacking at any tempo and zone and her quick lateral movement, as well as a fast whip like arm are qualities that will assist her in competing at a high level."
Megan Witte, Outside Hitter, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Megan Witte is a 6'0 outside hitter, playing her prep career at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A multi-sport athlete, Witte has earned All-State honors in basketball and been a Drake Relays and Iowa High School State qualifier in track. Witte was a dominant outside hitter for Lewis Central, leading the Titans to back to back state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018. Witte earned 1st Team All-State honors after her junior season. In her senior season, Witte recorded 484 kills, 292 digs and 41 blocks. Witte was selected to play in the Iowa High school Senior Classic and ranked 7th in kills among all classes. Megan is the daughter of Rebecca and Bart Witte, and had one sibling Curtis (13).
"Megan comes in as an athlete who has the potential to play six rotations for our program," said Petersen. "She is a multi-sport athlete and has been able to excel in multiple sports throughout her high school years. She is also very athletic, and loves to compete. She has very natural movement and skill in ball control and defense and has potential to be a primary passer. Offensively, she is explosive and powerful and can attack at different tempos along different areas along the net. We are excited to be a part of Megan's growth as a volleyball student athlete."
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 5)
Wednesday, September 24
Jason Allen Press Conference Sep. 22, 2025
Tuesday, September 23
PST: Calia Clubb
Friday, September 19
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 4)
Wednesday, September 17