Daily Recap: Class of '28 Recruiting Report

The Daily Report

Breakdown of Recruiting 

The Class of 2028

Day 1

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The Skinny:

Well, it was everything everyone talked about and more. Thirty-two unofficial verbals at the time I was working on this article. That eclipses last year’s record of 25, and two years ago, it was only 16 verbals on day one; three years ago, it was less than 10. We know there are at least 10 more that have committed; they are simply waiting so they can say “they didn’t commit on the first day.”

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Headlines:

Liberopalooza: 12 Libero/DS Verbal on Day 1. Great for them. The position that is often overlooked and undervalued has a dozen athletes ink schools on the first day, which is honestly amazing.

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Louisville sets the pace: 

Sorry, I am going to brag up my buddy Todd Chamberlain right here, and this is why he is a rockstar. Dan Meske says this is what we need now: go find it, and they have a level (refer to VBAdrenaline PPV Level Chart). Todd and main sidekick Parker Mickelish go out and evaluate (To a T, might I add) the talent that helps them bridge the gap and GET BETTER. Then they identify about 4 or 5 athletes in a class, and Closer Dan Meske does the work from there.

Chloe Burbage: Realistic, talented, and I thought the PERFECT Louisville Setter fit from Day 1.

Tegan Loechler: When I saw her at camp, I felt bad for some other schools because I knew how well she had been playing since moving Opp only, and I knew that Chamberlain would see the high ceiling with her.

Chloe Ritchie: That is just their kind of bro, and I called that last week after seeing her at camp. The cupboard is packed again with bros in The Ville for about 8 years. They are DEEP now.

I think they go for one more HR Pin because every big-time program does that every season. If they get one, it's awesome; if not, you grab one in the portal when you need one.

Now this class may not “rank” Top 5, but need wise it’s just what they needed, and all 3 are CULTURE Positive, athletes.

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JUST DO YOUR JOB DBK: 

That is what she did. Last month, someone got the rumor mill going that Shayla Rautenberg might possibly want to look at other schools. Whether she seriously did or didn’t, that just couldn’t happen, for Nebraska. This was a MUST-HAVE for DBK. Our #1 recruit (and thank you to the first-ever Nebraska Media person who used our rankings in a tweet) in the Class of 2028 had to stay home and anchor this class and this program for 5 years. So I love how DBK just quietly did what she does and took care of business and DID HER JOB by early afternoon on Day 1!

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Ok, here we go with the nightly awards:

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Top 3 Super Staff of the Day 

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1 Louisville Cardinals: 

You land all 3 of your needs and still hit the start of the 8th race at Churchill Downs. That’s efficiency, and they all fit into your first-class culture. YOU WIN DAY ONE Card Nation.

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2. South Carolina: 

Thought this staff would continue to build from last year, and they do that on day 1. We have them as an Elite Orange Prestige Program at approx. 182 PPV over the past two seasons. So they go get an athlete in Skinner at 202 (upgrade) and a solid fundamental player in Neale at 197. Exactly what they need to do to continue to upgrade. Now, if they can add one more weapon in the 220s, Class Made!

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3. Nebraska: 

We will give Super Staff #3 to Nebraska for simply making their layups. Closing the deal on Rautenberg and Samuels starts the class off right, and we need it. Life is different when you coach at Nebraska, but you still have to do your job. DBK and JRey did theirs well.

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Biggest IMPACT Commits of the Day:

**Based on Program PPV and Potential Impact, the Differential Recruit Could Make.

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#1. Riylnn Wingenbach - MB - HPSTL - MO - PPV 249 - Creighton Commit

This can serve as HR for Creighton. Wingenbach has made huge gains this club season and has transformed her body, especially her footwork. If she continues her focused work ethic for the next 18 months like she has the last year, then the Bluejays could have a Top 5 MB in the class walking on their campus.

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#2.  Sara Gonzalez - Libero - Alamo - Texas - PPV 220 - LSU Commit

This is just what Tony the Tiger ordered. LSU has some amazing offensive weapons in its program, but they have to improve defensively. Gonzalez might be the most underrated libero in this class and was seriously being courted by Penn State as well. LSU landing her is much bigger than that offensive firepower they signed last year. She could come in and be the Tigers' day 1 libero; she is that good.

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#3.  Cala Haffner - Libero - Pineapple HPV - Indiana - PPV 292 - Texas Commit

Impact commit, Texas? Listen, Texas has attackers everywhere, and what has held them back has been defense. Haffner is “the best libero prospect ever,” and once again, EVERY top program wanted her, and don’t let them tell you they didn’t. If Haffner comes in and is as good as she is supposed to be, and plays that way day 1, and is there 5 years. That impact was well worth this signing, even if she spends one year as a DS and four as the Lib. WORTH IT.

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#4.  Tegan Loechler - Opposite - Milwaukee Sting - Wisconsin - PPV 238 - Louisville Commit

So much to love about this pickup for Meske. Loechler is untapped as a pin; it’s been almost a hobby for her in club ball. The biggest thing is that she is relieved and happy now that she is full-time Opposite, and she is going to take off. Cards had to have a right side in this class and she just fits their system.

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#5.  Chelsea Torrence - Setter - A5 - Georgia - PPV 213 - Georgia Commit

This is the 2nd time in 3 years that Georgia has gone out and made a big statement with a local Southeast Region prospect on day 1. Two years ago it was Gigi Artilles of Tribe and we are about to see how that all works out, this year it’s Torrence and it is TBD as well. On the one hand you have the long frame and a raw athlete with tons of room to get better and ceiling to improve so Dawg Fans should be pumped, on the other hand you have to wonder does she have “it” to compete at the top of the SEC? Georgia is putting some pieces together; they need to make a move in the right direction in the tough SEC, and Torrence will be a key piece to that. She has a shot at being a program changer, no doubt.

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Best of the “Program Fits” from Day 1:

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1. Brooke Codey - Kentucky Commit - OH/DS - KIVA (This is exactly what Skinner loves for a future DS/Libero and exactly where he loves them to come from).
2. Shayla Rautenberg - Nebraska Commit - MB - Nebraska ONE (The Ultimate Husker Recruit)
3. Mesa Jameson - Pitt Commit - Opposite - Northern Lights (Jameson plays with the edge that can be successful in a tougher NE and the Pitt winning mentality)
4. Averi Bridges - Penn State Commit - Libero - VCNebraska (Bridges has the GRIT that can handle the expectations of PSU and the environment that are high and not for everyone)
5. Jada Skinner - South Carolina Commit - OH - Houston Skyline (Skinner is athletic and plays with a personality, and that is what a building program like SC needs right now).

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Sleeper of the Day 1:

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Tenley Witzel - Libero - Creighton Commit - Kairos Volleyball South Dakota - PPV 171

*Witzel has been the glue on that Kairos 16s Alpha squad all season, which has been up at the top of the national rankings. She literally goes unnoticed all year, has very solid skills, communicates very well, and gets to everything. Another great pickup for Creighton, having a pipeline with Kairos, grabbing two of their ‘28s on Day 1 of the open period.

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What to Watch For on Day 2:

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Wisconsin, what is happening? The Badgers will make a move

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Aggies had to tell everyone to wait for the spotlight 

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Who is Burrage waiting on?

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When do the runs on OH’s begin?

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**Just remember I told you some shocking news no one sees coming, is coming (Wednesday).