GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head volleyball coach Jesse Tupac and his staff announced on Wednesday that four prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to play for the Fighting Hawks beginning in the 2023-24 season.
 
UND went far-and-wide with this group of four, with one coming from Texas, another in California and a pair of Canadians from Alberta and Ontario. The four newcomers are Trinity Blackwood from Wylie, Texas, Skylar Darr from Temecula, California, Olivia Edlund from Barnwell, Alberta and Lauren Perugini from Mississauga, Ontario. Bringing in recruits from two of the biggest volleyball states in the country as well as two from the Canadian National Excellence Program U-19 Team. Perugini and Edlund are two out of just 16 athletes across Canada chosen to participate in the NEP program. Overall, this group adds size, speed and talent to an already talented and competitive UND program.
 
Head Coach Jesse Tupac on the 2023 class: "We couldn't be more excited to announce our 2023 recruiting class and the future of the Fighting Hawks volleyball program. Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Kristen Tupac did a phenomenal job bringing together one of the best classes to ever join UND volleyball. We will welcome athletes from some of the most talent heavy regions in the country in California and Texas; as well as internationally, with two of the best players in their class from Canada. UND has so much to offer young and hungry student athletes; from our amazing facilities, to a quality academic experience and, of course, unparalleled support from our fans and alumni. This class joins the legacy that is UND women's volleyball and is sure to make their mark during their time in Grand Forks."
 
Names are listed in alphabetical order:
Trinity Blackwood | 6-4 | Middle Blocker | Wylie, Texas | Wylie HS
Blackwood comes to Grand Forks after a standout career starting all four years at Wylie High School … Served as team captain during her senior season … Earning All-District honors in all 4 years at the high school level, as a freshman (second team), sophomore (first team), junior (honorable mention) and senior (first team) … This season she was also named Co-MVP for the district as well as being named to the Academic All-District Team … Helped her team finish among the top-8 in the state of Texas last season … Blackwood is a force at the net, having competed in soccer as a goalie for many years … She led the entire state in kills in 2022 with 222 … Hit a whopping .416 … Finished with 87 blocks, including 43 solo rejections … Spends her club seasons with Madfrog Volleyball, one of the top club volleyball programs in Texas.
 
Blackwood on why she chose UND: "I have never felt more comfortable in a place other than my home before. I thought of it as my home away from home. When I got to meet the girls, I felt almost an instant sense of comfort and connection. Everyone was super sweet and considerate and already made me feel a part of the team. With meeting them and the coaching staff, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that this is where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. I have always wanted to go somewhere cold, and out of all the schools in the north, this was definitely the best fit for me."
 
Coach J. Tupac on Blackwood: "We couldn't be more excited to have Trinity joining our program next fall.  Trinity is a force at the net on both sides of the ball and can take over matches as a blocker and as an attacker.  On top of that she is a one of a kind human being and has displayed phenomenal leadership throughout her prep career.  She will make an immediate impact with our team both on and off the court."
 
Skylar Darr | 5-5 | Libero| Temecula, Calif. | Vista Murrieta HS
Shined in a defensive specialist/libero position for Vista Murrieta … Currently, she is helping the program reach new heights as they rank in the top-20 in the state of California, were undefeated in league play and won their fourth straight Southwestern League Title … They recently secured the 2022 CIF Southern Section D2 Championship, the program's first CIF Southern Section title, defeating the defending CIF champions in four sets … Completed the reverse sweep in the opening round of the California State Tournament and looking to bring her team to their second consecutive state semifinals after a win in the second round this week … Helped the program reach the California Division I semifinal round for the first time in over a decade in 2021. … Has nearly 170 digs this season in 85 sets played … Plays club with Viper Volleyball in Temecula, Calif.
 
Darr on why she chose UND: "I chose UND because I instantly felt at home when I stepped on campus. The coaching staff is so amazing and made such an impact on my decision as well as the girls. They were so incredibly welcoming and made it an environment that I knew I wanted to be in."
 
Coach J. Tupac on Darr: "Skylar comes to us from some of the top High School and Club programs in the country.  She has proven her ability to play at an elite level through multiple years in the highly competitive Southern California region.  Fighting Hawk fans have been blessed with excellent back row play from our team this season and Skylar will come in and elevate that area even further.  We couldn't be more excited to have Skylar joining our team next fall!"
 
Olivia Edlund | 6-2 | Outside Hitter | Barnwell, Alberta | Vauxhall HS
Hailing from a village of less than 1,000 people, Edlund was one of 16 athletes in Canada to be named to the 2022 Canadian National Excellence Program (comparable to the USA NTDP and Youth National Team Program … She is a four-sport athlete at Vauxhall HS in Alberta, competing in volleyball, basketball, track and softball … Competed with the Alberta Summer Games Team for Basketball and Alberta Winter Games Team for volleyball … Played three seasons at Vauxhall before joining the Canadian National Excellence Program this semester … This past club season, she helped her team to a third place finish at the Alberta Provincial Championships … Claimed Tournament MVP or All-Tournament honors in every competition as a junior … She currently owns the Alberta record for the high jump.
 
Edlund on why she chose UND: "I chose UND for the coaching staff, team atmosphere and community of Grand Forks. I loved the support and it felt like the right fit from the very beginning!"
 
Coach J. Tupac on Edlund: "We are ecstatic to have Olivia joining our UND volleyball family.  Olivia is an outstanding learner and athlete and will be a standout in her class and in this program for many years to come.  Her time playing with the Canadian National Team NEP program will be invaluable as she acclimates to the collegiate level.  Most importantly, she is a phenomenal person and teammate and will be another great addition to the culture that we have been building in Grand Forks."
 
Lauren Perugini | 5-11 | Outside Hitter | Mississauga, Ontario | St. Marcellinus Secondary School
Competing both on the hardwood and in the sand, Perugini has established herself as an elite 6-rotation player … She was named to the 2022 Canadian National Excellence Program this summer and is training exclusively with a group of 16 athletes across Canada in Vancouver this fall … Competed for the Halton Region Hurricanes 18U team this past season as a 6-rotation opposite … Helping the 18U Halton Hurricanes secure Gold at the Best of the West Championships and at the 18U Division 1 Tier 1 Ontario Volleyball Championships … She was named an OVA Grand Prix All Star in 2020 … In 2019, she won Gold at the Beach Ontario Provincials and was a silver medalist at the Volleyball Canada Beach Nationals.
 
Perugini on why she chose UND: "I chose UND because of the amazing community and culture of both the school and volleyball program. The coaching staff and team were extremely welcoming and made my decision to become a Fighting Hawk an easy one!"
 
Coach J. Tupac on Perugini: "UND volleyball fans will be excited to see Lauren in action over the next few years playing in Kelly Green.  There are few players that come to the collegiate level ready to compete and contribute in every phase of the game in the way that Lauren will.  She is a complete 6 rotation pin hitter in every sense of the word.  Further, Lauren is a phenomenal learner and teammate, and has gained incredibly valuable international experience playing with the Canadian National Team NEP program.  It was clear early in the recruiting process that Lauren fit exactly what we were looking for both on and off the court and we are very excited to have her joining our program next fall!"
 
For more information on North Dakota volleyball, follow on social media @UNDvolleyball or visit FightingHawks.com.