Battleground States: Minnesota

Battleground States: Minnesota

The Final of our Battleground States. This week we move to Minnesota, a state that has more quality than quantity, but a state that has provided plenty of star power over the past couple years.  This year is no different and has a few of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class.  The Twin Cities boast the state's two D1 teams. 

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State of Minnesota Division 1 Programs (2):

• University of Minnesota (BIG 10)- Minneapolis, MN
• University of Saint Thomas (Summit)- Saint Paul, MN

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The Golden Gophers ARE the program of the state (and only Power 5 program) and they have had plenty of success. Since 2000, they have reached the final four 5 times, and have one championship game appearance. 

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State of Minnesota Recruiting Trends: 

2023’s

State’s #1 Player Committed: Minnesota

State Top 10’s Prospects Signed In-State: 1

State Top 10’s Prospects that Signed with “Big 3”: 0

State  Top 10 Prospects that Committed to Traditional Top 25 Programs: 3

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2024’s

State’s #1 Player Committed: Minnesota

State Top 10’s Prospects Signed In-State: 2

State Top 10’s Prospects that Signed with “Big 3”: 0

State  Top 10 Prospects that Committed to Traditional Top 25 Programs: 2

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2025’s

State’s #1 Player Committed: Minnesota

State Top 10’s Prospects Signed In-State: 3

State Top 10’s Prospects that Signed with “Big 3”: 0

State  Top 10 Prospects that Committed to Traditional Top 25 Programs: 4

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State of Minnesota Recruiting Label: Regional Hotspot

Every single player in the top 10 last year committed to a school either in Minnesota or a neighboring state. The past 4 (Class of ‘22 through ‘25) top ranked prospect has committed to Minnesota

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MINNESOTA Class of 2026 Recruiting Prospect Notes

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Elena Hoecke, MB, MN Select

Hoecke is a star and one of the best Middle Blockers in the USA. VBAdrenaline’s Super 30 has her at #15 and in the top 5 in Middles in the 2026 class. Hoecke has been a beast all year for MN Select matching up with some of the top middles in the country and besting most of them. The 6’3 MB had 65 blocks for Centennial this past season to go along with 260 kills.  Her leadership and competitive fire have been on display this club season and she has gained much interest.  Hoecke will get looks nationally and from Top 15 programs, but does she follow the trend and stay home and play for her home state?

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Sidney Burley, L/DS, MN Select

Burley is one of the best Liberos in the country and after being on Northern Lights for the past three years, she moved to MN Select this past season and her stock has sky rocketed. Burley was a 2022 AAU All-American for Northern Lights 14-1 and has been a star for her Prior Lake squad as well. Burley had a 28 dig game last season while also averaging 5 kills a game at 5’8 and being very good from the service line, she can do it all for a libero, but her biggest attribute may be her intensity on the court.  She competes from the second she wakes up every morning.  Not a highly-ranked prospect heading into club season she definitely is now.  Sidney will get offers from all major conferences and will have options to stay in the region or look outside. 

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Bryn Lunski, OH, MN Select

Lunski is one of the hardest hitters in the MN 2026 class, she has an incredibly powerful attack and had almost 200 kills as a Freshman in 2022-23, she has been a key piece of a very strong 16-1 MN Select team and averages about 5 kills a match for that squad. Lunski is a well-tooled athlete who could project as a DS/Libero at the next level.  She may have to decide to stay as an OH and play at a mid-major or play back row at a larger school, but she has D1 talent and court IQ no doubt. 

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Rayna Christianson, S, Mizuno Northern Lights

Christianson may be one of the more talked about prospects in the Class of ‘26.  She’s the top Setter in the state and is one of the tallest setters in a class that lacks those. Christiansen has had plenty of eyes on her the past 6 weeks, due to her size and ability to play on the pin if needed. Raina was named to the AAAA All-State Team this past season, so she’s one of the best players in the highest division already.  There will be interest from multiple P5 programs, but the 6’1” Setter has U of M connections.  Could that play a role in her landing spot? 

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Hayden Reeder, OH, MN Select

Reeder plays a similar game to Lunski and is as solid in the back row as she is attacking.  Hayden had a massive state tournament for Anoka last season, she led the Tornadoes on a deep tournament run and earned herself a spot on the 4A State Tournament Team. She had almost 360 kills for Anoka last season and turned herself into one of the top OH in the state. 

Reeder is an intense competitor and may have options at the next level.  Use her back row skills and become a DS/Libero at a larger school or be a 6 rotation OH at a mid-major regardless she will get D1 offers come June.

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State of the State

This is not Minnesota’s deepest class ever, but they still have some exceptional talent. There is a history of staying home to be a Gopher and the new staff at the U are excellent recruiters.  What will that mean for June 15th and beyond?  That’s why Minnesota could be one of the most interesting Battleground States in the USA. 

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