Mitchell's Lizzie Tyler picks Dakota Wesleyan volleyball as her college choice
Aug. 16—MITCHELL — The connections made it all add up for Lizzie Tyler and the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team.
Tyler, a senior at Mitchell High School and a second-team Class AA all-state volleyball player in 2021, has committed to play college volleyball for the Tigers. A signing event was held Monday, Aug. 15 for her on DWU's campus.
Volleyball represents an important part of Tyler's life. Her sister, Faith, has been on DWU's volleyball team in recent years and Lizzie's mother, Amy, is an assistant coach with the Mitchell High School team, a former state championship coach at Wagner, and helps coach the Corn Palace Area Club volleyball teams. One of CPAC's top club coaches is Lindsay Wilber, the head coach for Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball.
"My sister has been here the last four years and she loves it, and I've had the chance to play for Coach Wilber for a few years," Tyler said. "I've gotten to know quite a few of the girls, and it's something I'm comfortable with."
For her career, Tyler has posted 597 kills, 63 blocks, 1,108 digs and 185 aces. Last season, Tyler split the roles of being a key outside hitter for the Kernels and handling a large share of the setting duties as well.
"I got thrown into setting last year, so I had to develop those skills, and I've been working a lot on my footwork and my preparation for that position," the 5-foot-5 Tyler said.
Tyler said she didn't spend a lot of time worrying about her collegiate sports future or considering other schools, saying she was pretty convinced on attending DWU.
MHS volleyball and track coach Deb Thill credited Tyler for being modest, noting that there was plenty of interest in the Kernel senior in both volleyball and track and field.
"She's very talented and very deserving of this opportunity," Thill said.
