Asta Hildebrand (L), Kendall Huhnerkoch (center) and Emery Thury (R) to join Huskies next fall
St. Cloud State Volleyball Signs Three for 2025
11/13/2024 10:23:00 AM | Volleyball
Asta Hildebrand, Kendall Huhnerkoch and Emery Thury to join Huskies next fall
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Volleyball and head coach Chad Braegelmann have announced the addition of three student-athletes to the program's 2025 signing class on Wednesday. Setter/opposite Asta Hildebrand (North Liberty, Iowa), middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn.) and outside hitter/defensive specialist Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D.) will each begin their collegiate careers in 2025 at St. Cloud State.
Three different states are represented in the Huskies' 2025 early signing class with the program's upper Midwest ties on full display as Huhnerkoch stays in her home state of Minnesota, Thury joins the program from South Dakota and Hildebrand hails from Iowa.
"We are extremely excited for this recruiting class, as they bring a high-level of both skill and athleticism to our roster," said Braegelmann, "I think that their combination of volleyball knowledge, high school/club experience and volleyball success will mesh well with our current roster and help us continue to improve and grow on the success of Huskies Volleyball."
ASTA HILDEBRAND | S/OPP | 5'11" | NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA | LIBERTY HS
A setter/opposite from Liberty High School and North Liberty, Iowa...has recorded over 1900 assists, 900 digs, 800 kills, and 110 blocks over her prep career...5A state champion as a sophomore...two-time state tournament qualifier...two-time team captain...three-time all-conference selection...two-time Class 5A East All-District selection...Iowa City Liberty's All Time Assist Leader with 1,900+...selected for 2024 IGCA Senior All-Star Game...named 1st Team All-Area, 2nd Team All-State, Your Prep Sports Most Versatile Player of the Year, Prep-Dig All-State Team, MVC Academic All-Conference, Lightning Bolt of the Year and Offensive Bolt of the Year as a junior...named IGCA Honorable Mention Team All-State, Press-Citizen Athlete of the Week and Your Prep Sports Area Volleyball Team as a sophomore...amassed over 1,000 assists sophomore year...named Your Prep Sports Freshman of the Year and Bolt Newcomer of the Year as a freshman... high school coaches are Allie Kelly and Scott Sanders...plays her club volleyball with the Iowa Rockets (2021-2025) after playing with Six Pack in 2020...earned the Flash Award (2021), Owen Skelley Scholarship Award (2022), Hills Bank Youth Salute Scholarship (2024) and was selected to be on Iowa City School District Superintendent Advisory Committee...two-sport athlete also competes in track & field...2022 State Track & Field qualifier in the 400 Hurdles and Shuttle Hurdle Relay...
Personal: Daughter of Josh and Lisa Hildebrand...intends to major in Elementary Education...enjoys reading, taking care of her chickens, baking, hiking and traveling...biggest influences are Allie Kelly (high school coach) and her mom (Lisa Hildebrand)... notes winning the state championship in her sophomore season as her greatest volleyball experience...lists former and future teammate, Shelby Kimm as her favorite athlete...
Why St. Cloud State? "I chose SCSU because their volleyball program is competitive and has a great coaching staff. The team is very welcoming, and I cannot wait to play with them!! I also fell in love with the academic side of SCSU – the campus is just the right size and the programs align with what I looked for in a school."
Coach Braegelmann on Hildebrand...
"Asta is a fantastic athlete, who both hits and sets for her high school team. She can do a little bit of everything, but her athleticism and court sense are what really stood out to us initially along with her high energy. She has a fantastic court demeanor, and really knows the game of volleyball. Asta will bring us some added depth at the setting position for 2025 and may do some attacking for us as well."
KENDALL HUHNERKOCH | MB | 5'10" | REDWOOD FALLS, MINN. | REDWOOD VALLEY HS
A middle blocker from Redwood Valley High School and Redwood Falls, Minnesota...five-time volleyball letterwinner...All-State honoree...two-time All-Big South Conference...two-time all-conference honorable mention...state tournament participant...has recorded over 1,100 kills, 600 digs, 180 blocks and 85 aces over her prep career...team broke the school record for best team record her junior year...high school coaches are Taya Lindahl, Courtney Bergeson and Kallie Fish...plays her club volleyball with SWMNVB...won the 18 club national title at AAU Nationals with SWMNVB...three-sport athlete also competes in basketball and track & field...five-year basketball letterwinner...two-time All-Big South Conference basketball player...on pace to surpass 1,000 career points this season...five-year track & field letterwinner...four-time track & field state meet participant...owns second, third and fourth place finishes at state in triple jump...placed fifth at state in long jump...A-Honor Roll student every year since 5th grade...also involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, HOSA, drumline, jazz band, women's choir, musical pit band, FCA and bible study...
Personal: Daughter of Brent and Lynne Huhnerkoch...plans to pursue a career in the medical field...enjoys reading, watching movies, being outside, spending time with her family and friends and playing games...lists her parents as her biggest influences... notes winning the section final and going on to play at the state tournament in her junior year as her greatest volleyball experience...favorite athlete is Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson...
Why St. Cloud State? "After going on a visit to St. Cloud State and getting to know the team, I could immediately tell that it was a place that I could see myself. After seeing the program's competitive nature and passion for volleyball, I knew that I wanted to be a part of their team. The players and coaches were also very welcoming, and I could sense the close relationships that they all have with each other. St. Cloud State volleyball checked all of my boxes."
Coach Braegelmann on Huhnerkoch...
"Kendall impressed us right away with her length and ability to score on the volleyball court. She works extremely hard as a blocker and can swing and score both in front of and behind the setter. She is another player that has a high volleyball IQ and plays for a very good HS and club program. Kendall will come in and compete in our gym very well, with a very talented and athletic group of middle blockers that we have."
EMERY THURY | OH/DS | 5'10" | WATERTOWN, S.D. | WATERTOWN HS
An outside hitter/defensive specialist from Watertown HS and Watertown, South Dakota...has recorded over 650 kills during her prep career...three-time volleyball letterwinner...all-state, all-conference and all-tournament honoree junior year...team's offensive MVP junior year... team's most improved player her sophomore year...high school coach is Rosemary Bellum...plays her club volleyball with Elite Alliance Volleyball Club...AAU All-American...placed 3rd at Nationals with her club...named Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP for her club...three-sport athlete also competes in basketball and track & field...four-year basketball letterwinner...named basketball team's defensive MVP sophomore year...state basketball tournament qualifier sophomore year...named basketball team's offensive MVP junior year...all-conference basketball honoree junior year...three-year track & field letterwinner...also involved in the National Honor Society...
Personal: Daughter of Monty and Stacey Thury...intends to major in Elementary Education and minor in coaching...enjoys hanging out with her family and friends and spending time outdoors..biggest influences her mom for all she has done for her over the years and Shelly Budenhagen for sharing her knowledge and love for the game...notes going the volleyball state tournament during her junior year as her greatest volleyball experience...favorite athlete is Kansas State middle blocker/opposite, Kadye Fernhoz...
Why St. Cloud State? "I chose St. Cloud State Volleyball because of their excellence throughout the years, the dedication of the coaching staff and the atmosphere around me. These were qualities that I was looking for in my recruiting process. I felt that St. Cloud State met these qualities not only on the court but also as a student."
Coach Braegelmann on Thury...
"Emery is a quick twitch outside hitter and can really explode to the volleyball with her fast approach and ability to be a terminal hitter. She sees the court very well and is very solid in serve-receive. Defensively, she does a great job of anticipating where opponents are attacking as well. Emery can certainly be a very potent weapon in the front row, and a defensive asset in the back row and has the potential to become a six rotation outside hitter down the road."
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Three different states are represented in the Huskies' 2025 early signing class with the program's upper Midwest ties on full display as Huhnerkoch stays in her home state of Minnesota, Thury joins the program from South Dakota and Hildebrand hails from Iowa.
"We are extremely excited for this recruiting class, as they bring a high-level of both skill and athleticism to our roster," said Braegelmann, "I think that their combination of volleyball knowledge, high school/club experience and volleyball success will mesh well with our current roster and help us continue to improve and grow on the success of Huskies Volleyball."
ASTA HILDEBRAND | S/OPP | 5'11" | NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA | LIBERTY HS
A setter/opposite from Liberty High School and North Liberty, Iowa...has recorded over 1900 assists, 900 digs, 800 kills, and 110 blocks over her prep career...5A state champion as a sophomore...two-time state tournament qualifier...two-time team captain...three-time all-conference selection...two-time Class 5A East All-District selection...Iowa City Liberty's All Time Assist Leader with 1,900+...selected for 2024 IGCA Senior All-Star Game...named 1st Team All-Area, 2nd Team All-State, Your Prep Sports Most Versatile Player of the Year, Prep-Dig All-State Team, MVC Academic All-Conference, Lightning Bolt of the Year and Offensive Bolt of the Year as a junior...named IGCA Honorable Mention Team All-State, Press-Citizen Athlete of the Week and Your Prep Sports Area Volleyball Team as a sophomore...amassed over 1,000 assists sophomore year...named Your Prep Sports Freshman of the Year and Bolt Newcomer of the Year as a freshman... high school coaches are Allie Kelly and Scott Sanders...plays her club volleyball with the Iowa Rockets (2021-2025) after playing with Six Pack in 2020...earned the Flash Award (2021), Owen Skelley Scholarship Award (2022), Hills Bank Youth Salute Scholarship (2024) and was selected to be on Iowa City School District Superintendent Advisory Committee...two-sport athlete also competes in track & field...2022 State Track & Field qualifier in the 400 Hurdles and Shuttle Hurdle Relay...
Personal: Daughter of Josh and Lisa Hildebrand...intends to major in Elementary Education...enjoys reading, taking care of her chickens, baking, hiking and traveling...biggest influences are Allie Kelly (high school coach) and her mom (Lisa Hildebrand)... notes winning the state championship in her sophomore season as her greatest volleyball experience...lists former and future teammate, Shelby Kimm as her favorite athlete...
Why St. Cloud State? "I chose SCSU because their volleyball program is competitive and has a great coaching staff. The team is very welcoming, and I cannot wait to play with them!! I also fell in love with the academic side of SCSU – the campus is just the right size and the programs align with what I looked for in a school."
Coach Braegelmann on Hildebrand...
"Asta is a fantastic athlete, who both hits and sets for her high school team. She can do a little bit of everything, but her athleticism and court sense are what really stood out to us initially along with her high energy. She has a fantastic court demeanor, and really knows the game of volleyball. Asta will bring us some added depth at the setting position for 2025 and may do some attacking for us as well."
KENDALL HUHNERKOCH | MB | 5'10" | REDWOOD FALLS, MINN. | REDWOOD VALLEY HS
A middle blocker from Redwood Valley High School and Redwood Falls, Minnesota...five-time volleyball letterwinner...All-State honoree...two-time All-Big South Conference...two-time all-conference honorable mention...state tournament participant...has recorded over 1,100 kills, 600 digs, 180 blocks and 85 aces over her prep career...team broke the school record for best team record her junior year...high school coaches are Taya Lindahl, Courtney Bergeson and Kallie Fish...plays her club volleyball with SWMNVB...won the 18 club national title at AAU Nationals with SWMNVB...three-sport athlete also competes in basketball and track & field...five-year basketball letterwinner...two-time All-Big South Conference basketball player...on pace to surpass 1,000 career points this season...five-year track & field letterwinner...four-time track & field state meet participant...owns second, third and fourth place finishes at state in triple jump...placed fifth at state in long jump...A-Honor Roll student every year since 5th grade...also involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, HOSA, drumline, jazz band, women's choir, musical pit band, FCA and bible study...Personal: Daughter of Brent and Lynne Huhnerkoch...plans to pursue a career in the medical field...enjoys reading, watching movies, being outside, spending time with her family and friends and playing games...lists her parents as her biggest influences... notes winning the section final and going on to play at the state tournament in her junior year as her greatest volleyball experience...favorite athlete is Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson...
Why St. Cloud State? "After going on a visit to St. Cloud State and getting to know the team, I could immediately tell that it was a place that I could see myself. After seeing the program's competitive nature and passion for volleyball, I knew that I wanted to be a part of their team. The players and coaches were also very welcoming, and I could sense the close relationships that they all have with each other. St. Cloud State volleyball checked all of my boxes."
Coach Braegelmann on Huhnerkoch...
"Kendall impressed us right away with her length and ability to score on the volleyball court. She works extremely hard as a blocker and can swing and score both in front of and behind the setter. She is another player that has a high volleyball IQ and plays for a very good HS and club program. Kendall will come in and compete in our gym very well, with a very talented and athletic group of middle blockers that we have."
EMERY THURY | OH/DS | 5'10" | WATERTOWN, S.D. | WATERTOWN HS
An outside hitter/defensive specialist from Watertown HS and Watertown, South Dakota...has recorded over 650 kills during her prep career...three-time volleyball letterwinner...all-state, all-conference and all-tournament honoree junior year...team's offensive MVP junior year... team's most improved player her sophomore year...high school coach is Rosemary Bellum...plays her club volleyball with Elite Alliance Volleyball Club...AAU All-American...placed 3rd at Nationals with her club...named Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP for her club...three-sport athlete also competes in basketball and track & field...four-year basketball letterwinner...named basketball team's defensive MVP sophomore year...state basketball tournament qualifier sophomore year...named basketball team's offensive MVP junior year...all-conference basketball honoree junior year...three-year track & field letterwinner...also involved in the National Honor Society...
Personal: Daughter of Monty and Stacey Thury...intends to major in Elementary Education and minor in coaching...enjoys hanging out with her family and friends and spending time outdoors..biggest influences her mom for all she has done for her over the years and Shelly Budenhagen for sharing her knowledge and love for the game...notes going the volleyball state tournament during her junior year as her greatest volleyball experience...favorite athlete is Kansas State middle blocker/opposite, Kadye Fernhoz...
Why St. Cloud State? "I chose St. Cloud State Volleyball because of their excellence throughout the years, the dedication of the coaching staff and the atmosphere around me. These were qualities that I was looking for in my recruiting process. I felt that St. Cloud State met these qualities not only on the court but also as a student."
Coach Braegelmann on Thury...
"Emery is a quick twitch outside hitter and can really explode to the volleyball with her fast approach and ability to be a terminal hitter. She sees the court very well and is very solid in serve-receive. Defensively, she does a great job of anticipating where opponents are attacking as well. Emery can certainly be a very potent weapon in the front row, and a defensive asset in the back row and has the potential to become a six rotation outside hitter down the road."
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
OH/OPP
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