Michaels, Munch sign with UNI volleyball

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI volleyball program and head coach Bobbi Petersen on Tuesday announced the signing of two high school athletes to its 2026 recruiting class as part of the early signing period.

The 2025 class features a pair of midwest standouts in defensive specialist/libero Maggie Michaels out of Illinois, as well as outside hitter/middle blocker Claire Munch from South Dakota.

We are excited to welcome two student-athletes to our 2026 recruiting class and look forward to what these young women will bring to our program," said Petersen. "Claire and Maggie are incredible student-athletes with great work ethics, have a hunger to compete, a high commitment to athletics and are even better people. They both compete on quality high school and competitive club teams and will bring positive and driven personalities to our program. We are pumped to have each of them and their families as members of our UNI Panther volleyball family!"

MAGGIE MICHAELS - Bloomington, Illinois (Normal Community HS) - Defensive Specialist/Libero
Ranked as the third-best libero in Illinois and 28th in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, Michaels signs with UNI after a strong prep career at Normal Community High School under head coach Christine Konopasek.

Recording 820 digs, 409 kills and 129 service aces in her career, Michaels led Normal with 52 aces during her senior season, earning Second Team All-State recognition and First Team All-Big 12 Conference honors in helping the Ironmen to Illinois Class 4A regional and section championships.

As a junior, Michaels helped lead the Ironmen to a regional championship while also earning first team all-conference honors, along with second team all-area recognition. She also earned All-Tournament team honors at the Crimson Classic and was a Big 12 scholar-athlete and VCA All-State Academic Team member.

In 2023 as a sophomore, Michaels was a Second Team All-Big 12 performer and honorable mention all-area selection, while also receiving all-state and all-conference academic recognition.

On the club circuit, she helped her team to a fifth-place finish at AAU Nationals, plus a third-place showing at Central Zones and eighth-place at the Triple Crown.

Michaels is the daughter of Jon and Tiffany Michael and intends to major in elementary education.

"Maggie will add speed, quickness and competitiveness to our back court position along with a strong volleyball IQ," Petersen said. "She has solid skills, great body control, as well as great range and a consistent drive to compete. Being an outside hitter for her high school team, she can also bring a heavy attack from the back court and understands the game in multiple positions which adds to her ability to play any position in the back court. Maggie has a good understanding of her platform, reads well on defense and has the ability to make that 'big play'."

CLAIRE MUNCH - Dakota Dunes, S.D. (Dakota Valley HS) - Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker
A four-year letterwinner from southeast South Dakota, Claire Munch signs with Northern Iowa after a stellar volleyball career playing for head coach Mike Whittlef at Dakota Valley High School.

As part of her on-going senior season, Munch has recorded 507 kills, 70 aces and 290 digs, helping the Panthers to a 31-win season and a Class A state tournament appearance.

As a junior in 2024, Munch helped lead the Panthers to a state runner-up finish as a member of the state all-tournament squad. In her first year as a team captain, she was named first team all-conference and the league's most valuable player, while also earning first team all-area and Metro Female Athlete of the Year recognition.

During her sophomore campaign, the AVCA Phenom and JVA watchlist performer earned second team all-conference and all-area honors while helping Dakota Valley to a fifth-place finish at the state tournament with all-tournament recognition and a USAV All-Tournament Team nod. Munch also was part of a fifth-place team finish as a freshman in 2022.

At the club level, Munch was a two-time national champion at the AAU 15U and 16U levels with MVP Volleyball Club, later going on to be part of a 17U USAV national runner-up team.

In addition to volleyball, Munch is a decorated track and field athlete as a hurdler and jumper. Qualifying for multiple state meets, she notably is a two-time state champion in the triple jump as a sophomore and junior.

"Claire is a great athlete and is one of the most versatile recruits we have brought to our program," Petersen said. "Her ability to hit any tempo of ball along any area of the net as well as great blocking instincts wherever she is on the court, provides her the opportunity to honestly compete for any front court position and will add a lot of versatility to the things we can do offensively. Claire also has the skill set in the back court with her passing and defensive abilities to give her six-rotation potential. She is a true competitor and will elevate the intensity in our gym."

UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

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