#4 Class of 2026: The New Stars of the Steel City

The New Stars of the STEEL CITY 

#4 Pittsburgh Panthers Avg PPV 232 Total Verbals 5

1 Diamond Level and 1 Gold Level 1 Silver 2 Red Level

It looks like Pitt is a problem people will have to deal with for awhile now. Two great recruiting classes in three years and this is the best class Dan Fisher has brought to town yet.  Prospects are getting the word, that maybe national media outlets still aren’t (as I publish this on a night that #1 vs. #3 in the nation is on some scrub subscription channel) that Pitt is a national power.

Ayanna Watson OH Vegas Aces PPV 298

Watson was wanted by everyone and if not everyone, everyone, but one she was as solid and consistent of a player as their was in the class, besides Anderson.  Her club team didn’t have the season some did so you didn’t see her on championship court, but Ayanna was dominant every weekend and that was something that spread throughout recruiting circles.  She has the all-around game to play now and the frame to be elite.  She reminds many of a couple decent Pitt recruits making that are currently making noise for the blue and gold.  That should excite everyone and those comparisons aren’t exaggerated.  Watson is legit and this was a giant recruiting W for Fisher and his staff, but also may have signified something more.  One of the first times a recruit turned down an offer from a marquee school to attend somewhere else…..and that would be a trend so needed for the health of college volleyball.

Isabelle Hoppe Setter AVC PPV 278

The race was on for a setter in this class and Pitt was in need.  Hoppe is a hometown kid and has longtime ties to the university.  She is also regarded as the #2 Setter in the class and made the U19 National Team over the Summer.  She plays with confidence and takes control of her offense and plays with a swagger, like a Pittsburgh kid would and what she may lack in some height she makes up for in her control of an offense.  Again Pitt had a target and they landed a big recruit.

Izzy Masten Libero/DS Revolution Volleyball Academy PPV 232

Depends who you ask on Masten’s “ranking”, but she was a top target on Pitt’s Board from Day 1.  Aggressive and intense she just fits the mold of a Coach Fisher team.  Great range and tough she was their top choice at the position so it’s a big W for them again at the ‘bro.

Trinity Thompson Setter/DS/Utility Vegas Aces PPV 206

If we could rank utility players she would be in the top 3 in the class and if we could give her a nickname it would be the Swiss Army knife or McGyver (neither one Trinity would understand), but this is the athlete that could just end up being the sneaky one that ends up being the difference maker down the road.  Again may not make a Top 5 list as a Setter right now, but would not hurt them if called upon.  Won’t make any rankings as a ‘bro/DS because she doesn’t play there, but may just get time there at the next level because of her athleticism.  Thompson is so talented and a natural ball player and just look for her to find the court when she get to Pitt.

Lola Sageer OH Volley FX PPV 196

This is a great late addition to the class and is what happens when you are making three consecutive final fours as a program.  Athletes want to come to your program and compete for a chance to play.  Sageer has physical skills and a “high ceiling” with a solid 3 step approach 10’2” and block touch of 10’ she had interest from some legit programs and committed to Pitt.

The development of a starting libero could be vital from this class and Hoppe could be called to duty early?  This class will step on campus with a VERY talented Sr. class and very high expectations for the program.  Again showing how far Panther Volleyball has come under the Fisher regime.

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