With national signing day approaching on Nov. 8, we already checked in on what we believe are the Top 10 recruiting classes from 2024. Below, we take a look at other noteworthy programs which also made splashes.
TEXAS
- Ayden Ames MB Drive Nation (5-star)
- Reese Emerick S AJV (3-star)
- Rella Binney S Ku’ikahi (3-star)
- Brennan Ramirez L/DS Ellis County Jrs
Notes: The Longhorns’ class grew in size with the recent announcement coming from Ames that she was decommitting from Nebraska and staying in-state instead. It gives Texas its only 5-star recruit from the class. A 6-3 middle who runs the slide exceptionally well, Ames is among the top players at her position from 2024. The Longhorns are bringing in a pair of setters. It’ll add depth but with Ella Swindle setting as a freshman this season, Texas is in good hands for years to come.
KANSAS
- Zoey Burgess MB Club V (5-star)
- Heidi Devers L/DS Dynasty (4-star)
- Reese Ptacek MB Northern Lights (4-star)
- Grace Nelson OH 1st Alliance (4-star)
- Kenzie Dean OH/RS Club Ignit Select (3-star)
- Ellie Moore S Northeast (3-star)
Notes: It’s a diverse class for the Jayhawks, topped by Burgess. She’s an athletic middle who moves really well and gives Kansas the option to possibly use her on the right side. She’ll have work to do to see the court out of the gate, as Kansas has five of its middles set to return next season. Behind Burgess is three 4-star recruits, including Nelson. She’s a powerful outside who hits a heavy ball. She might not get a bunch of playing time right away, but she’ll make her mark soon enough. Ptacek is a 6-2 middle. She’ll also be part of a packed position, but she can possibly play on the pin as well. Devers will add to the defense with her ability to patrol the back row.
PURDUE
- Allie Shondell S Boiler Jrs (5-star)
- Ryan McAleer L/DS Dynasty (4-star)
- Sienna Foster DS/OH Boiler Jrs (3-star)
Notes: Count Purdue among the schools who landed a 5-star recruit. Shondell is a high IQ setter with lots of experience and the ability to run an offense effectively. McAleer is a strong defender who will give the Boilermakers another presence on that side of the ball.
NOTRE DAME
- Morgan Gaerte OH Team Pineapple (5-star)
- Anna Bjork MB MKE Sting (4-star)
- Mallory Bohl MB Legacy (4-star)
- Mia Radeff OH Encore (3-star)
Notes: The Fighting Irish did well with the 2024 class. They were able to land a 5-star recruit in Gaerte. The 6-4 outside is long with a strong arm. She’s going to provide an immediate boost upon her arrival and is very likely to be starting out of the gate. Notre Dame currently has four middles on its roster, with two being seniors. Bringing in a pair of 4-star recruits in Bjork and Bohl will fill that void and they both could vie for playing time as rookies. Radeff will add depth to the outside. She’s 6-1 and has continually progressed through her club seasons.
BYU
- Alex Bower S ID Crush (5-star)
- Blaykli Bobik OH AZ Storm (4-star)
- Abby Hoybjerg OH SynergyForce (4-star)
- Elina Mortensen OH Club V (3-star)
- Lulu Uluave DS/OH Ku’ikahi VBC
Notes: The Cougars are bringing in a large class, with the highlight being 5-star setter Alex Bower, the younger sister of BYU’s current setter Whitney Bower. With the older Bower a senior, the younger one could fight for playing time right away. While BYU is adding nice pins in Hoybjerg, Bobik and Mortensen, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out in a crowded position. The Cougars have six outsides on the roster and are set to return five of them.
CINCINNATI
- Faith Frame L/DS Premier Neb (5-star)
- Janelle Green S KC Power (4-star)
- Fallon Stewart OH OTVA (4-star)
- Gretchen Sigman RS Team Pineapple (3-star)
Notes: The Bearcats have one of their stronger classes overall. Frame is a high-caliber libero who should help fortify the defensive side. Green is a high-energy setter with great leadership and setting skills. Stewart has nice size and length and a solid arm to help bolster the attack. All three should contend for playing time next season.
KENTUCKY
- Hannah Benjamin OH A5 (5-star)
- Asia Thigpen OH Triangle (4-star)
Notes: It’s not a big class for the Wildcats but Benjamin makes it a legit one. The 5-star outside will help strengthen a position Kentucky needs help in. It’s possible to see her playing right away and contributing in a big way similar to what we see with freshman Brooklyn DeLeye this season. Thigpen will add another option on the outside as well, though it’ll be harder for her to crack the lineup right away.
TENNESSEE
- Camdyn Stucky S Shockwave (4-star)
- Paityn Chapman OH Co Jrs (4-star)
- Chelsea Sutton MB OTVA (4-star)
- Orian Drore L/DS Tribe
- Julianna Santiago L/DS Tennessee Performance
Notes: The Volunteers have a balanced class coming in. Stucky figures to have the best shot at competing for playing time right away. Tennessee has three setters on the roster and two are graduate players. The other is redshirt freshman Caroline Kerr. Chapman would have some work to do to break into the rotation on the left. Meanwhile, Tennessee is set to bring back three of its four middles from this season so Sutton would bring that total back to the same number next season. It’s the same case for the defenders. The Volunteers currently have five L/DSs on the roster, but two are graduate players.
