CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team announced the signing of Porsha Porath (OH, 6-1, Windom, Minn./Windom H.S.) and Hannah Stark (OH, 5-10, Esko, Minn./Esko H.S.) to National Letters of Intent. Porath and Stark are the first two signees of the Sarah Rauen era of Minnesota Crookston volleyball.

"We are excited to add both Porsha and Hann to the Golden Eagle Volleyball family," said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. "Both players are great athletes and amazing people, and we can't wait until they are on campus with us. After graduating three outside hitters this year both will help us add depth to that position."

The Golden Eagles are coming off a 7-21 (4-15 NSIC) mark in Rauen's first year with the program. Minnesota Crookston is slated to return 10 players from the 2017 roster as they look to take the next step as the program. A crucial element will be replacing several impact players as five of the seven seniors were regular starters for the Golden Eagles and two more saw regular playing time.

The pair of signees address Minnesota Crookston's immediate need at pin hitter with the graduation of three outside hitters including All-NSIC Second Team pick Kassi Green (OH, Anoka, Minn.), Maggie Perrel (OH, New Germany, Minn.) and Rachel Freund (OH, Jordan, Minn.). Porath and Stark give the Golden Eagles immediate versatility and depth at the position, complementing returnees Deaira Gresham (Fr., OH, Maplewood, Minn.), Sabrina Leuer (Jr., OH, Hamel, Minn.) and Alyssa Thomas (R-Fr., OH, Marion, Iowa).

In addition, with the signees the Golden Eagles were able to get two top-notch players from the state of Minnesota as Coach Rauen looks to emphasize the central region and the state of Minnesota in her building of the Minnesota Crookston volleyball program.


Porsha Porath (OH, 6-1, Windom, Minn./Windom H.S.)
Porath notched 369 kills as a senior for Windom High School. She was named All-Big South Conference during her senior season. Porath broke the school record for career kills Sept. 7, 2017 as she notched her 1,292^nd kill of her career. She has tallied 1,595 career kills at Windom High School. As a junior, Porath was selected All-Big South Conference and Worthington Daily Globe All-Area. She reached her 1,000^th kill as a junior for Windom High School. Porath was also named All-Big South Conference, All-Area and MN Class A All-State as a sophomore. As a freshman, she was named All-Area Second team and All-Big South Conference Honorable Mention. She was a five-year starter and letter winner at Windom High School. Porath was named to the Minnesota Class A Showcase All-Tournament Team as a sophomore. She was selected as one of the Top 75 juniors by Minnesota Breakdown in 2016. Porath competed at the club level as a sophomore and junior for Kairos Elite Volleyball Club in Sioux Falls, S.D. As an eighth grader and ninth grader, she competed for Southwest Minnesota Juniors out of Marshall, Minn. Porath previously participated in hockey and track and field.

She is the daughter of Paul and Kristen Porath. She has two younger brothers Tylan and Cragen. She competitively raced go-karts when she was younger. Her brother continued to race until he was 12-years old. She enjoys to watch spring car racing during the summer. Porath was a member of the Windom High School choir and girl's pop group. She was born Feb. 23, 2000. She plans to major in health management.

"Porsha brings height and dynamic athleticism to our outside hitter position," Rauen said. "We are excited to get her in a Golden Eagle uniform. I have had a chance to watch her play over the past few years and believe she has a great career ahead of her. Porsha's volleyball experience, strength and jumping ability will help her adjust to the college game quickly."



Hannah Stark (OH, 5-10, Esko, Minn./Esko H.S.)
Stark was an All-Polar League First Team pick as a junior and senior. She earned All-Polar League Honorable Mention during her sophomore season. Stark earned Best Offensive Player honors for Esko High School as a junior. She also played softball for Esko High School. Stark earned Second Team All-Polar League honors as a junior softball player. She was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Esko High School softball team as a junior. Stark played at the club level for Northland Volleyball Club. As a junior, she tallied 313 kills for 3.8 kills per set and hit .207 on the season. Stark added 193 digs and 40 aces in 83 sets played. As a senior, tallied 25 kills versus Virginia High School. She picked up matches with 18 kills twice against Cloquet High School. She also competes in basketball.

Stark is the daughter of Joe and Betsy Stark. She plans to major in business. Stark was born Dec. 10, 1999. Her uncle Tom Stark played football at St. Cloud State University.

"Hannah will add explosive strength to our outside hitter position, and will increase the level of competition in our gym," Rauen said. "Being a successful three-sport athlete has her ready to make huge strides as she focuses in on volleyball. Working with Hannah at camp allowed us to see that she will fit in well with her program, and we can't wait to get her in our gym training."

All signees are contingent upon admission to the University of Minnesota Crookston and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
 
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