Dena Robb, center, surrounded by her teammates and coaches in the Union High School main gym after committing to play college volleyball next year for Iowa Central Community College. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

LA PORTE CITY – Fresh off their state appearance in Coralville, three All-Conference Union Knights volleyball players have signed letters of intent to continue their respective volleyball careers at the collegiate level beginning in the fall of 2024.

Earlier this month, the senior trio of Dena Robb, Gracie Klima, and Sydney Schmuecker each signed with a college or university to continue their academic and athletic careers with Robb committing to play on Nov. 9 for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge; Klima committing to play on Nov. 13 for Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.; and Schmuecker committing to play on Nov. 15 for Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.

Robb’s post-high school plans include pursuing a degree in radiology technology while playing for the Tritons; Klima’s plans include studying pre-law while playing for the Railsplitters; and Schmuecker’s plans include studying pre-dental.

During the 2023-24 season, all three student-athletes were leaders on the court for Union. Middle hitter Robb led the Knights in total blocks this season with 104. She also notched 298 kills with .355 efficiency.

Outside hitter Klima – a player who has been coined a ‘killing machine’ – ended the season at No. 2 in Class 3A for number of kills with 532, and No. 1 across all classes in kill attempts with 1,451. She was second for the Knights in digs with 287. Earlier this month, Klima was named to the Class 3A All-State second team by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

Union middle hitter Dena Robb pictured on Nov. 9 in the high school gym in La Porte City while signing her letter of intent to play college volleyball next season for Iowa Central. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

Schmuecker, also a middle hitter and the only Knights player to receive a selection to the 3A All-Tournament Team at the 2023 state tournament, was second in blocks for her team this year with 69. She was also third in kills with 171.

Union outside hitter Gracie Klima pictured on Nov. 13 in the high school gym in La Porte City while signing her letter of intent to play college volleyball next season for Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION BOOSTERS

Union middle hitter Sydney Schmuecker pictured on Nov. 15 while signing her letter of intent to play college volleyball next season for Mount Mercy University. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION BOOSTERS