The Iowa volleyball team announced on Tuesday that four prep athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for Iowa.

Texans Rachael Bedell, Chanté Thompson, and Nikki Dailey, along with Bethany Yeager of Wisconsin, will all join the Hawkeyes next season.

Bedell and Thompson will add height to the squad. Bedell, a 6-1 outside hitter from Plano, Texas, ranks fourth in career kills and third in career blocks at West Plano High School.

As a 6-3 middle blocker, Thompson was named to the 2009-10 Under Armour High School All-American watch list. She and Bedell were named Senior Aces by PrepVolleyball.com and earned Lonestar Volleyball all-Texas special recognition along with libero Yeager.

The 5-7 Yeager was also recognized in ESPN Rise Magazine following her junior season when she was named to the 4A all-state team.

Meanwhile, Dailey, a 5-9 setter from Franklin, Wis., earned first team all-state honors and was named a PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace this year. During her final season, Dailey was named Conference Player of the Year. She will graduate from Franklin High School as the career leader in assists and service aces.

— by Evelyn Lau