Olivia and Stella Swenson Sign with Gophers in 2024 Class
11/8/2023 12:07:00 PM | Volleyball
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The twin sisters will enroll at Minnesota in January
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota volleyball program has announced two signees to its 2024 recruiting class. The Golden Gophers welcome twin sistersOlivia and Stella Swenson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata H.S.) to the program. Olivia will play outside hitter at Minnesota while Stella is a setter.
"We're extremely excited to officially welcome Olivia and Stella to the Minnesota Volleyball program," said head coach Keegan Cook. "We're looking forward to welcoming them in January and are eager to work with these two incredible young athletes."
Olivia passes a ball for Wayzata H.S.
Her accolades include four all-conference selections, two all-state and all-metro nods and four All-Metro West CCX Team honors. Swenson has helped her team to two straight Minnesota State High School Class AAAA titles and hopes to lead the Trojans to a third-straight in November. A 2022 MSHSL State Volleyball All-Tournament Team selection, Swenson has helped Wayzata to be ranked No. 7 and No. 8 in the country, respectively, in junior and senior years.
A 2023 Ms. Baden Award Finalist, Olivia was named Star Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week two times and was named to Volleyball Magazine Dream Team. She is ranked as the No. 36 player in the country according to Prep Volleyball.
"The things that are easiest to see in an athlete are rarely the best things about them," said Cook. "That certainly applies to Olivia as her journey to becoming the player we see today has had more than its fair share of adversity. I deeply respect and am excited by Olivia's ability to meet that adversity, persist, and grow as an athlete and a young person. I think the best volleyball of her young career is waiting for her at the University of Minnesota and I look forward to helping her achieve it."
In club, Olivia helped Minnesota Select to a National Runner-Up finish at the 17-Open (USA GJNCs) in 2023 and a third place finish at the 14-Open in 2021.
Academically, Olivia was a member of Wayzata High School's honor roll. She intends to major in psychology at Minnesota.
Why Minnesota: "It has always been my dream to play volleyball at the University of Minnesota. I grew up attending matches and watching my older sister play. The fans are amazing and the Pav has such a fun atmosphere. As soon as I met Coach Cook and his staff, I knew this is where I wanted to stay. I am thankful to represent my home state and play in front of my family and friends. I can't wait to get to Minnesota in January and start training with my teammates."
Personal: The daughter of Erik Swenson and Vicki Seliger Swenson, she's joined in her family by older sister Samantha Seliger Swenson and brother-in-law Eric Loeppky in addition to her twin sister Stella (older by 21 minutes) and younger sister Eva. Her dad, Erik, played football for the University of North Dakota. Her, mom, Vicki, played volleyball for Iowa State University. Her older sister Samantha played volleyball for University of Minnesota and was one of two four-time All-Americans in program history.
Goals: "I want to be challenged and grow as a person as well as a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota. My goal is to win Big Ten titles and ultimately a national championship."
A 6-foot-1 setter from Plymouth, Minn., Stella signs with Minnesota after one of the most decorated prep careers in state history. A four-time all-state selection, Swenson has been named all-conference six times and First Team All-Metro three times. She's led Wayzata H.S. to two consecutive state titles and is hoping to lead the team to a third in 2023. Twice she has been named to the MSHSL All-State Tournament team. Wayzata has been ranked as the No. 7 and No. 8 high school team in the country in her junior and senior years, respectively.
The 2023 Ms. Baden Award Winner (top senior player in Minnesota) is the three-time Star Tribune Player of the Year and a two-time Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year. In her career at Wayzata, she's totaled 3,017 assists, 203 blocks, 184 service aces and 632 digs. She has led the Trojans in assists and aces in each of the last three seasons. During her high school career, Wayzata has accumulated a record of 108-4.
On the club circuit for Minnesota Select Volleyball Club, Swenson has been named an All-American on both the 16-Open and 17-Open levels. She helped her team to a National Runner-Up finish at the 17-Open USA GJCN's and a third place finish at the 14-Open USA GJNC's.
Stella setting for Wayzata H.S.
An AVCA, MaxPreps and JVCA All-American honoree, Swenson is the No. 9 overall recruit in 2024 (No. 1 in Minnesota) according to Prep Volleyball and No. 8 according to Prep Dig. She is also a U.S. National Team Development Program member.
"There is no more essential position in our game than that of a setter," Cook said. "That is especially true for a program in transition. I was thrilled to arrive and learn of Stella Swenson's commitment to the University of Minnesota. A bold and enthusiastic young athlete, Stella's ability to engage, encourage and lead her teammates excites me for her future here. I am confident in Stella's ability to lead this program in the next era of Gopher volleyball."
Academically, Stella was a member of Wayzata High School's honor roll. She intends to major in mechanical engineering at Minnesota.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because it felt like home. I knew when I first entered the Pav, I wanted to be a Golden Gopher. I love the atmosphere and the support is amazing. When I met with Coach Cook and his staff, immediately knew I wanted to play for them. I know they care about me as a person and will help me be the best I can be. I love the team and making the choice to come to Minnesota was an easy one. I can't wait to get there in January and start competing."
Personal: The daughter of Erik Swenson and Vicki Seliger Swenson, she's joined in her family by older sister Samantha Seliger Swenson and brother-in-law Eric Loeppky in addition to her twin sister Olivia (younger by 21 minutes) and younger sister Eva. Her dad, Erik, played football for the University of North Dakota. Her, mom, Vicki, played volleyball for Iowa State University. Her older sister Samantha played volleyball for University of Minnesota and was one of two four-time All-Americans in program history.
Goals: "Academics are important to me and I know I will receive an incredible education from the University of Minnesota. As for volleyball, I want to be the best I can be. Also, I want to win. I will do whatever it takes to help the team win multiple Big Ten championships. I also want to be a part of the first Gopher team to win a national championship. I watched my sister compete in two Final Fours and it was an amazing experience. I want our team to get there again and then win it all."
