FARGO, N.D.—North Dakota State University head volleyball coach Jennifer Lopez announced Friday, Jan. 4, the addition of 5-8 defensive specialist/libero Ava Schmoll (Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake H.S.), who will be joining the volleyball program in the fall of 2019.
 
Schmoll joins 6-foot-1 outside hitter Syra Tanchin (St. Michael, Minn. / St. Michael-Albertville H.S.) and 5-10 setter Kelley Johnson (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan H.S.), who will also join the volleyball program next fall.
 
Ava Schmoll, 5-8, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Forest Lake, Minn. (Forest Lake H.S.)
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time all-conference libero for Forest Lake High School and head coach Sherri Alm … Led Forest Lake to 25-10 record and the Minnesota state tournament as a senior … Program's all-time leader with 1,506 digs … Ranked second in the state with 594 digs and added 38 aces … Named to Prep Volleyball's '2018 Gym Dandies", recognizing the nation's top full-time defensive players … Led Forest Lake to 21-10 record and state tournament as a junior … Ranked second in the state with school record 652 digs and added 32 aces … Played club for Kokoro Volleyball and head coach Sam Sullivan … Member of 'A' Honor Roll … Volunteered to teach preschool age children at high school sponsored program.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Scott Schmoll and Wendy Funke-Schmoll … Has one brother, Jared Russell, and one sister, Vivien … Cousin, Zach Risteau, played Divison I hockey for St. Lawrence University.
 
North Dakota State finished the season with a 9-20 record including 6-10 in the Summit League. The Bison reached the Summit League tournament semifinals for the ninth time in 11 trips and became the first No. 6-seed to advance since the league went to six teams in 2013. NDSU returns all but one starter and 10 returning players including Summit League all-tournament pick Abbi Klos and all-freshman team selection Kalli Hegerle.