Top 10 Recruiting W's of the 2026 Open Period

Top 10 Recruiting W’s of the 2026 Class So Far

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1. Baylor lands Metro Star Nadiya Johnson:  The high-flying Johnson was rumored to be gaining interest from schools like Pitt, Stanford, Louisville and more.  The fact that Baylor landed the DC standout and in the first weekend of the open period took many by surprise.

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1. Mintonette Teammates to Hoosierlan:  People knew that Sarah Snowburger and Mallory Matheny would probably both stay in the Midwest to play their college ball.  They also knew that both would probably land in Big Ten territory.  What most didn’t expect was that the 3x AAU National Championship teammates would pick the upstart Indiana Hoosiers over programs like (well for one their hometown Buckeyes) and many others.

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1. Laura Eichert chooses the beautiful University of San Diego over dozens of P4 offers.  Eichert was a name and an arm that was in high-demand on the 15th.  She had noted that she would like to stay close to home, but that still left schools like Utah, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Stanford, ASU etc.  Plus any National Powers that may entice the power hitter to leave home.  San Diego landing this All-American candidate was the first big wow of the class.

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1. Gigi to Georgia.  Early the first weekend the Bulldogs made a statement when they landed Tribe OH Gigi Artilles.  She was a named thrown around for several SEC/ACC programs and one of the top all-around OH’s in the class so a huge W for Georgia early in 2026.

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1. Elena Hoecke stays home with Minnesota.  5-7 different Top 15 schools circulated as possible spots for Hoecke and that dwindled to a legit 3-4 after the first weekend of the open period.  Minnesota getting the hometown kid to commit was a W on several levels and a needed victory for the Gopher staff to start the 2026 class.

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1. Brooke is a Bruin……Brooke Harwood has been as talked about as any MB in this class and her name had been thrown around with multiple programs.  When UCLA got word she was becoming a Bruin they had to be elated.  Top 10 at position, Top 10 overall on the West Coast and a huge steal from some conference and regional rivals.

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1. Madison Victoriano is a Vandy commit.  This was music to the Commodore coaches ears when the Texas star setter announced.  She was targeted by at least 10 different programs.  This was a crucial verbal for Vandy as it was a huge building block for their new program the Setter they coveted most.

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1. The Steal in Steel City…I am pretty sure that if a month ago you asked 50 college coaches (none who coach at Pitt) where does Ayanna Watson commit?  That more than 1 or 2 would confidently say Pitt.  This recruiting W just tells so much about the state of Pitt volleyball and how it is viewed by prospects right now.  Some in the game viewed Watson as the #2 OH and s a star in the making.  It’s time the college volleyball wraps our heads around Pitt being a household name, because prep stars think are one.

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1. Rayna Christianson to Creighton early.  The Minnesota Setter had been linked to 10-15 short lists heading into June 15th.  There was word that she was Creighton’s #1 target.  The fact that she was locked up by noon on day one was a big W for the Jays and took her off the market before those other schools could make a pitch.  Big W in Omaha.

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1. Shugart heads to Auburn.  Maybe not the national headlines of some, but Reese Shugart verballing to Auburn was big news for the Tigers and disappointing news for several other SEC/ACC schools in hot pursuit of the South Carolina star.  We had addressed Auburn having some momentum going into June 15th and Shugart was their #1 target.  So to land her was a huge momentum W for War Eagle.

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