GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Head Volleyball Coach Mark Pryor announced six student-athletes to the program's Class of 2019 on Thursday, all of whom will be joining a Fighting Hawks program that will begin its second season in the Summit League this Fall.

Featuring three hitters, two back line players and a setter, the class features student-athletes from across the Midwest, the country and the world. Over the last five seasons under Pryor, UND has posted a 117 wins, the second-most among teams in The Summit League since 2014.

A complete rundown of the signees, including bio information and quotes on each player from Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jeremiah Tiffin on the six signees can be read below.

"Jeremiah has done an outstanding job of finding immediate impact players, as well as players who have a high ceiling for long term growth," said Head Coach Mark Pryor. "We really believe these players addressed some short term and long term needs."

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University of North Dakota Class of 2019
Sara Antic | Jr. | 6-1, OH | Stari Banovci, Serbia (Zemunska Gimnazija/Northeastern JC)
McKenzie Damon | Fr. | 5-8, L | Durand, Ill. (Durand)
Sofia Hedqvist | Fr. | 6-0, OH | South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (South Tahoe)
McCallister Gayle | Fr. | 6-2, OH/RS | Henderson, Nev. (Coronado)
Abi McGlynn | Fr. | 5-10, DS | Stephen, Minn. (Stephen-Argyle)
Peyton Sewell | Fr. | 5-9, S | Belvedere, Ill. (Belvedere North)

Sara Antic
6-1 | OH | Jr.
Stari Banovci, Serbia (Zemunska Gimnazija/Northeastern JC)

Before UND
Played two seasons at Northeastern JC in Sterling, Colo. … NJCAA First Team All-America and AVCA Second Team All-America as a freshman … Named South Region IX Freshman and Player of the Year … A two-time South Region IX All-Region and All-Tournament team selection … Averaged 3.14 kills and 3.97 points per set as a sophomore, while hitting .231 on the outside … Amassed 797 kills, 556 digs and 921 points in two seasons with the Plainswomen … Finished sixth in the nation in kills with 498 as a freshman.

Associate Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin on Antic: "From the first time I spoke to Sara you could tell that she carried herself with the maturity of a player much older than she actually is. She understands the hard work that it takes to succeed at this level. She's been an NJCAA All-American and has had that pressure of being the go to attacker on her team. That's experience is going to be a huge asset for our team this fall."

McKenzie Damon
5-8 | L | Fr.
Durand, Ill. (Durand)

Before UND
Primarily played outside hitter at Durand High School … Two-time all-state honoree … Named to the Upstate Illini East All-Conference team three times … Rock River Valley Volleyball Player of the Year in 2018 … Helped Durand High School to a third place finish at the IHSA 1A Volleyball Championship in 2017 … Aided the team to a state quarterfinal appearance as a senior … Member of the student council … Named to the Superior Honor Roll and the National Honor Society.

Coach Tiffin on Damon: "McKenzie is a small town kid that just competes in everything she does. She's had to play multiple positions for her high school and club teams and that has only improved her understanding of the game. She comes from an athletic family and knows what it takes to succeed on and off the court. We're excited to see her compete for a spot on the court from day one."

Sofia Hedqvist
6-0 | OH | Fr.
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (South Tahoe)

Before UND
Member of Swedish U17 Indoor and Beach Volleyball Teams … Team captain at South Tahoe as a junior and senior … All-state selection as senior … Named to the academic all-state teams as sophomore and senior … Posted a .305 hitting percentage and 3.8 kills per set as senior … Totaled 72 aces (0.7/S) and 337 digs (3.1/S) in her final two seasons with the Vikings.

Coach Tiffin on Hedqvist: "Sofia is young but she is going to contribute for us in the future. Her experience playing in the Swedish national team program is something that has helped her improve her all around skills. One thing we really liked about Sofia is her ability to process new information. She's the type of player that only needs to hear things one time and she will make it happen. Her ceiling is very high and she's not even close to reaching it."
 
McCallister Gayle
6-2 | OH/RS | Fr.
Henderson, Nev. (Coronado)

Before UND
Three-year varsity member at Coronado High School … Amassed 138 kills as a junior … Collected 85 solo blocks in three seasons, including 30 as a sophomore … Second-best blocking team in the conference in 2018 … Helped Coronado to a league and regional championship as a junior … Averaged 2.2 kills per set as a senior.

Coach Tiffin on Gayle: "McCallister is going to bring a physical presence for us on the pins. She has the ability to be an impact player with her blocking whenever she steps on the court. Her outgoing personality will also be a great fit in our team culture which will only help our on court performance as well."

Abi McGlynn
5-10 | DS | Fr.
Stephen, Minn. (Stephen-Argyle)

Before UND
Helped Stephen-Argyle's volleyball team to its first ever state tournament appearance, winning a sectional championship … Four-time all-conference honoree … Closed her career with 1964 kills, 678 digs, 139 aces, and 243 blocks, setting records in kills, aces and blocks … Selected to the all-state team in 2017 and 2018 … Also lettered in basketball and track … All-state basketball player … Helped the Storm basketball team to a sectional championship in 2018 … Named to the all-state track & field team five times … Qualified for the state track & field championship in the triple jump three times and in the long jump in 2018.

Coach Tiffin on McGlynn: "Abi is that do everything player from a small town. She excels in whatever sport or hobby she participates in. She's going to come in and surprise a lot of people with her athleticism and just overall skill level. In addition to her physical skills, her enthusiasm is contagious which will make everyone around her better immediately."
 
Peyton Sewell
5-9 | S | Fr.
Belvidere, Ill. (Belvidere North)

Before UND
Enrolled at UND in January after graduating high school early … Named to The News Gazette's All-State honorable mention list … Helped Belvidere North to conference championships in final two seasons, including its first-ever regional championship … Advanced to Sectional Semifinal … Named to The Rockford Register Star's Best of Rock River Valley Team … First Team All-NIC 10 in 2018.

Coach Tiffin on Sewell: "Peyton graduated early and has been here since January. We were excited to have her on campus early and since she arrived she has blown us all away with her skill level and hard work. She does a great job of getting the ball to her hitters in good positions and she improves bad passes by making better sets. The job of a setter is to make her hitters better and she is doing that every day in practice."