The University of Wisconsin volleyball team announced Tuesday that three players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Badgers in 2010.

Annemarie Hickey, a 5-8 defensive specialist from Oswego, Ill.; Dominique Thompson, a 5-11 middle blocker from Plymouth, Minn.; and Elise Walch, a 6-5 outside hitter from Palm City, Fla., finalized their commitment to join the UW program.

"We are extremely excited about what this class will bring to our program," Badgers coach Pete Waite said in a statement. "Each player brings great athletic talent and each of them is a great person and a great competitor. They are all leaders on their teams and each have the ability to dominate a match in their respective positions.

"All three can make an immediate impact on our program and will catch the attention of Badger fans everywhere. We are really looking forward to the day they step on the court with us for the first time."

Hickey led Joliet Catholic Academy to two straight Illinois Class 3A state championships and a 41-1 record as a senior, when she earned Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year honors. As a junior, Hickey was named a PrepVolleyball.com All-American.

"Anne is a phenomenal competitor and a player who raises the level her teammates every time she takes the floor," Waite said. "As a smaller player, she still dominates the net with her wide variety of shots and arm speed. She's a crafty player who has a great volleyball IQ."

Thompson was a three-time MVP for Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, and earned All-State honors as a senior. She is also an All-State sprinter in track and field.

She is the daughter of former Green Bay Packers running back Darrell Thompson, and her mother played collegiate volleyball at Iowa.

"Dominique is an explosive middle blocker who really burst onto the scene over the last two seasons," Waite said. "She's a prolific scorer at the net whose speed and jump will put stress on opposing defenders.

"She began as a basketball player and track athlete but she found her real passion was in volleyball. Dom is just beginning to tap into her talents and she's already a force to be reckoned with."

Walch led Martin County High School to the Florida state tournament -- to be held this weekend -- for the first time in 10 years, and holds her school's match, season, and career records for kills and blocks.

She earned second-team All-State honors as a junior and is among the top 30 recruits in the nation, according to PrepVolleyball.com.

"Elise brings us some great height and power on the left-side attack," Waite said. "She is extremely mobile and fluid for a 6-5 player and she may be the hardest hitter nationally coming out of the 2010 class."

Related

• ESPNChicago: Wisconsin-bound Hickey comes up large for Joliet Catholic
• TCPalm.com: Tigers' Walch signs with Wisconsin

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