Daily Recap: June 21-23

Daily Recap: June 22-24th Class of 2027 Open Period Recruiting

Things slowed a bit with the Nationals taking place in Orlando, but some big decisions are still being made. I hadn’t forgotten; I needed to get caught up and also do a bit of research on a few prospects, so I combined a few days to recap.

*Also just a note I will be in Dallas (probably shouldn’t announce my location for specific parents/coaches, but oh well) attending USA Nationals. Hence, I promise to keep up with both 2027s and 2028s, it will simply be as I am on breaks and that lovely off day between sessions in Dallas so don’t give up on us!

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First off, make sure you go check out our individual Conference Pages, as I think we have some good content on the P4 conferences there also. We will add other conferences as we receive special features, but if you're a conference fan, those will be a great place to start your search on our site (also something we provide exclusively).

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Top Difference Makers (for the program they committed):

These are the athletes I believe can have the biggest single impact for the school they committed to. This has NOTHING to do with where they are ranked on some other website. It is about fit and program impact.

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1. Nyla Livings - Middle TAV PPV 265 - Verbal to LSU

*This seems like a day 1 starter and impact player. I think they have put added 3-4 possible difference makers, but Nyla is the top.

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2. Natalie Norton - OH Drive Nation PPV 228 Drive Nation - Verbal to Gonzaga

She was our player of the day at our probably last NTDP ever, lol she is a 6 rotation player that I can for sure jump in a back row spot year 1. Yes she needs to get stronger, but I think this is an amazing sign for Gonzaga Norton does many things well.

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3. Riley Riggs - OH Dynasty PPV 219 - Verbal to South Carolina

Riggs has been a production machine for Dynasty this season. I’m guessing it’s been the height that held back some of her offers, but South Carolina has also done a nice job with this class and Riggs had a very good 3 days in PHX two weeks ago vs elite competition. She deserves to have a PPV in the 200+ and this is very good addition for USC.

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4. Bailey Lambert - Middle AZ Revolution - Verbal to Washington State

Production, competitive and does things well that many middles just don’t do so she has position flexibility at the next level. She had a lot of interest so this is also a Big W for Wazzu and she has played in many big time matches and comes from a first class program so she brings that to the Cougar program. This is win in multiple ways.

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5. Nailah Randle - Outside San Antonio Jrs - Verbal LSU

Randle is an explosive athlete and she showed out at one of the biggest events she was at this year, raising many eyes. Again I’m not arguing with you “rankings ppl” I’m just going off of who was interested in her in June and why. This is a W for LSU because they add another SEC caliber athlete on the pin. Now is she walk-in Day 1 ready (very few are in the SEC), but she has the ceiling to be a big contributor for sure.

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6. Maddy Chime - Opp Houston Skyline PPV 207 - Verbal Alabama

This situation almost reminded me of the podcast situation I was talking about with Metro’s Opp last year. Now prayers to Smith and her injury as we loved her and she was so talented and she will be in someone’s wish list next year, but Chime is going to be solid. I think a year from now club volleyball is talking about her completely different and she is tearing things up when she is the starter all season. Explosive, physical and quick off the block. Alabama got a steal and I want to see her film in a few months with more reps.

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7. Breya Dawson - Outside Memphis Metro PPV 214 - Verbal Cal

We followed Breya through camps for two years and she always went under the radar, but always looked the part. So quiet, plays for smaller club, not in open championship finals so doesn’t get that pub, but a very good volleyball player with that frame to boom at college strength and even another inch height wise. She plays very high and explosive. This is a Big W for Cal who takes her from several Southern schools wanting her to stay in the area.

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8.Nafanua Alofipo - Setter Club V PPV 210 - Verbal Utah

This was such a great commit that both Hua (Nebraska commit:) and I had to talk about for a few minutes to before we recorded her interview we were both pumped for Nua and the Utes. Alofipo is probably one that is next to unknown to most of the country, as she played up and set for Club V’s 18s this season, but physical and accurate. I actually had this commit between her and her club mate Zamari C, but Utah nails this one!!!

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9. Kylee Evans - Middle A5 PPV 202 - Verbal Clemson

Evans brings length and quick ups to the Tigers. So quick off the floor her block game is legit now. Her quick and slide attack can be lethal at the next level. Evans is another one like we have mentioned she brings an ACC type of athletic frame to a Clemson program needing to add athletes then turn them into the volleyball players they need. Evans can absolutely be that and was dominant at times this club season. Liked this commit as soon as I heard it.

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10. Sophia Austen - Outside Iowa United PPV 187 - Verbal Iowa State

Top athlete in state. Improving nearly every tournament. Hard competitor with multiple skills that translate to next level. Stays home to play for in state school becoming their first commit. I love that the Cyclones grab Austen to start their class and I see some Abbey Hayes in Austen if she can get some lift in her approach, but she competes hard and attacks from the back row. This is a piece the Cyclones can use early.

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Staff Shouts:

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LSU : Said they needed to put a class together and they have absolutely come through on that word. Adding the Livings’ today was very important, but they only add to a class that was already solid. We will break it down this week, but this is what the Tiger ordered.

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Texas A+M: Again leading the way in an SEC conference that has been dominated by Texas and Kentucky. A+M has a couple of legit commits so far.

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Someone asked about doing a “Best Available List”

That won’t be for awhile for a few reasons and yes I know other people have already posted them.

1. Why post them already when it’s only been 1 week and we are stressing to athletes to take their time? Posting something like that only insinuates that it’s been a long time and they are still unsigned. We will do some names we are watching etc.
2. Every time I do a list I miss someone and get an email I like happy emails I don’t need more of those emails.
3. Coaches know who is out there. It’s not like when some other site posts that content a coach wakes up and says “oh my gosh I better go recruit her I had no idea she was unsigned. Thanks website x for doing my job for me
4. Also, some athletes are going to have to deal with the realization that there are fewer D1 offers out there now and taking a good D2 etc offer is a great opportunity also.

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Mailbag: Couple of quick ones….

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Who are you the most surprised with after 1 week (team)?

Well I’d ask positively or dissapointed? I’ve really loved Michigan State and honestly I think Alabama if I can only pick 2

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What have you enjoyed the most so far?

Even though it seems like there were so many early commits (that will always happen until someone steps up and forces the Avca or Calendar committee or whoever takes blame for this mess to change it.

I have enjoyed that more athletes have taken more time than 2026s and I have enjoyed that this class is spreading out a bit and not everyone is loading up and all going to Top 15 schools. Now a big part of that is because they can’t anymore because of the Salary Cap (Rev Share)

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What is your favorite part of this?

My favorite part is 2 things….first is seeing how many of my predictions are correct (next year that’s going to be content I don’t care it just is I did really well this year)

But, still my hands down favorite part is getting to talk with athletes and families that TRULY appreciate this opportunity and don’t take it for granted. Maybe they are from a small club or town. Maybe the parents didn’t go to college or had to sacrifice something for the daughter to play. That would have been my family growing up and so it just means a lot when I get to meet those types of athletes really truly appreciate this opportunity, pretty cool that I get a chance to interview them.

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Couple of late commits:

Sofia Simic - Outside PPV 221 is a BIG W for Illinois and regional commit as well. Thought she was a prospect getting looks from several in the region and quite a few top Top 25 programs also. Nice 6 rotation addition for Coach Tamas and crew.

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Lila Green - Libero WAVE PPV 184 - Kansas

Second addition to the Kansas class and another member of the WAVE team. Green is in a word solid and is another that is used to playing in pressure packed matches. Great communicator and reaction time is excellent. Again solid addition in Lawrence