Huskers Sign Two Talented Golfers in Early Period

Lincoln - Nebraska women's golf coach Robin Krapfl announced the signing of two talented student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday, Nov. 18.

Cassie Deeg (Hugo, Minn.) and Hannah Luebke (Stuttgart, Germany) will come from near and far to join the Huskers beginning in the 2012-13 season. Deeg, the 2011 Minnesota Class4AAA state champion is expected to join fellow Minnesotan Steffi Neisen (Jr., New Prague, Minn.) on the 2012-13 roster. Luebke, a talented junior player internationally, becomes just the second German in program history, joining Shirin Hornecker (Munich, 1997-98).

"I'm very excited about our 2012 recruits," Krapfl said. "They both bring a passion for the game, enthusiasm, work ethic and a highly competitive nature. I believe both will have a huge impact for us immediately."

Deeg and Luebke will join current redshirting freshmen Jackie O'Doherty (Lincoln, Neb.), Morgan Smejkal (Columbus, Neb.) and Cassidy Stelzmiller (Placerville, Calif.) in trying to replace departing seniors Madeleine Sheils, Kayla Knopik and Katie Keiser in the Husker lineup next season.

Cassie Deeg
Hugo, Minn. (Stillwater)
The 2011 Class4AAA state champion, Cassie Deeg will join fellow Minnesotan Steffi Neisen on the 2012-13 Husker roster. Deeg captured the 2011 individual state title while helping Stillwater Area High School to a runner-up team finish under Coach Michael O'Rourke.

Deeg enters her senior season at Stillwater in 2012 as a four-time top-20 finisher at the high school state championships, including a seventh-place finish in 2010, a 12th-place showing in 2009 and a 20th-place effort as an eighth-grader in 2008. A five-time Suburban East All-Conference selection (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) on the course, Deeg was the 2011 Suburban East Player of the Year.

On the Junior circuit, Deeg was the 2011 Minnesota Golf Association Junior Player of the Year and 2011 Minnesota state champion. She was also the 2011 Minnesota Match Play champion and the 2011 Publinks champion. In 2008, she was also the Junior State Girls Champion. Her state titles qualified her for the National Junior Girls tournaments in both 2008 and 2011.

"Cassie already competes at a high level and has proven she can be successful against quality Division I student-athletes," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "She is solid in every facet of the game and is a proven winner. Cassie is a quality student and has a wonderful personality. "

Deeg, who has been an honor roll student throughout high school, said she chose Nebraska because of everything the athletic department and university had to offer.

"Coach Krapfl is awesome and they have a team that is very closely knit and get along well," Deeg said. "When I visited, I could not wipe the smile off my face. I loved everything about it - the practice facilities, the athletic department, the life skills department and the dorms. The town was very nice, and it felt like home. When I visited, it just felt right."

Deeg chose Nebraska over Illinois, Idaho and Missouri State.

Hannah Luebke
Stuttgart, Germany (Schickhardt Gymnasium)
One of the top young golfers in Germany, Hannah Luebke becomes the first European player to sign with the Huskers since Catha Fogelberg (Sweden) in 1997-98. Luebke, a native of Stuttgart, is also just the second German to join the Huskers in history, following in the footsteps of Shirin Hornecker (Munich), who played for Nebraska in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Luebke placed third at the German Youth National Championships and first at the state youth team championships. She also placed second at the BWGW International Match Play. Her high school did not sponsor golf, but she competed for the Stuttgarter Golf Club Solitude in the second Bundesliga in 2010 and 2011 for Coach Heiko Burkhardt.

An outstanding all-around athlete, Luebke competed in volleyball, tennis and track and field at Schickhardt Gymnasium. At 6-foot-1, Luebke was an All-German performer as a middle blocker/outside hitter in both 2009 and 2010. She was a three-time first-team all-state volleyball player in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The was also a three-time regional champion in the heptathlon in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

"Hannah's strength lies in her long game," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "She has above average length and the desire to be a go-to performer. She is a good all-around athlete with the potential to be an outstanding collegiate golfer. She also has a great personality and will fit right in. I'm excited to have an international player join our program again."