North Dakota Volleyball Star Brings Championship Pedigree to Iowa Court
Brynn Sorenson, a standout athlete from North Dakota with a state championship appearance on her resume, is bringing her talents to the volleyball court in Iowa this season. The Medina/Pingree-Buchanan graduate has joined Valley City State University, which opened its season Friday against Dordt University in Sioux City, Iowa.
Sorenson, a Class of 2026 graduate, committed to VCSU before her senior year of high school. She said the decision came down to feeling at home on campus.
When I toured VCSU, it just felt so much more comfortable compared to other campuses. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful,
Sorenson said. Ever since I started playing club volleyball there, I knew that Valley City was a top contender. All of the girls and coaches on the volleyball team are amazing people and want to help you succeed.
What makes Sorenson a top recruit for VCSU volleyball?
Sorenson arrives with an impressive high school resume. She was named the 2025 NDHSCA POWERade Outstanding Senior Athlete after the Class B State Tournament in November. She also earned First-Team All-State honors.
Her senior season numbers tell the story: 626 kills, 717 digs, 27 blocks, and 33 aces. Over her career at Medina/Pingree-Buchanan, she recorded 1,667 kills and 2,504 digs.
Her high school coach, Jacie Connell, was named NDHSCA SUBWAY Coach of the Year. Under Connell, the Thunder won back-to-back Region 1 championships and reached the 2025 state championship game, falling to Langdon Area/Edmore-Munich in five sets.
How has Sorenson trained for the college level?
Sorenson didn't rest after her prep career ended. She spent the summer doing elite training at the Two Rivers Activity Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.
I would wake up at 5 a.m. about three days each week to start training at 6:30 a.m. before work,
she said. The days where I didn't have my trainer with me, I went to the gym after work and did my own lifting.
Her focus was on improving her vertical jump and speed through weightlifting, jumping drills, and resistance band work. The results were measurable.
From my pre-test to post-test at training, my jump has gotten a few inches higher and my strength and agility are getting better,
Sorenson said. My confidence in myself went up since training because of the improvements I've made in my game.
When does VCSU open its season in Iowa?
VCSU's first official action was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 21, against Dordt University in Sioux City, Iowa. The Vikings were also set to face College of Saint Mary of Nebraska later that day.
Conference play begins Wednesday, Sept. 2, against Mayville State in Mayville at 7 p.m.
What are Sorenson's goals for her freshman season?
Sorenson moved to Valley City on Aug. 7 and began training with the team the next day. The early schedule includes two-a-day practices plus weightlifting and conditioning.
She said she's ready for the challenge.
I love competing, and being able to do that at a college level is truly a dream come true,
she said. For this season, I really wanna have fun while also being a force to be reckoned with. I want us to be able to play as many games as we possibly can and grow together as the season goes on.
Her message to Iowa fans is simple: expect hard work and improvement.
I truly am so thankful to be able to be part of VCSU volleyball and can't wait to see how I improve,
she said.