The Breakdown: 10 Days In Our Early Thoughts Favorite Classes, Biggest Recruiting Ws of '28

Top 20 Recruiting W’s after 10 Days

Top 10 Best Recruiting Classes So Far

A View from VBAdrenaline’s Angle

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Depending on what you think of VBAdrenaline (don’t message me and tell me either:), we do take a different angle of the recruiting than ANY OTHER website in volleyball, thank goodness.  So, as we take a quick reflection at the 10-day break and get ready to head out to Indy for Nationals for a week, this is a fun article for me each year. It’s our VBAdrenaline’s Angle on the 2028 Recruiting Class after a long, hard, grueling 10 days lol. The Winners, Losers, and the oh that’s right we still have 17 and 1/2 months left until signing day….RELAX, but we have to write this because we have website fees to pay.

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Our Top 20 Recruiting W’s: These are the biggest W’s of the Class so far

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1Texas - Cala Haffner - Libero - Pineapple HP - PPV 99.2 

I hate picking Big Dogs for #1 bc recruiting is so easy for them, it’s not even recruiting, it’s more like “negotiations”, but what Texas did here is different. Everyone came after Haffner (yeas Nebraska fans sorry EVERYONE) and Texas stated their #1 need was bro. So they went head-on with all of their rivals, and everyone knew who the sole #1 target was, and you still win EASILY. That is why this is the biggest W, Texas doesn’t lose recruiting battles, and again ALL of the Big Dogs have plenty of $, so stop using that sorry excuse.

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2.  Hawaii Bella Osborn - Libero - Madfrog - PPV 94.6 

Bella is #2 because it’s a Foundational Commitment, and it was so shocking to so many. Plus it sets the tone for Coach Walker and his entire regime at Hawaii. Oh, and she’s amazing.

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3.  Tulane Mandela Masimini - Middle - Virginia Juniors - PPV 91.4

I know we think outside the box on this site, and this is also why NTDP needs to have us back covering the event again. Who else is giving mad love to Mandela Masimini of VA Jrs for 6 months because of her kicking butt for three days at NTDP? You guessed it (only VBAdrenaline), and this is a huge commitment for a Tulane program, even if it is 2-yr, and move up, she still can really do some damage for them for those two seasons. Market her, develop her, and build that second year for a little tourney run around her.

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4.  Indiana Piper Coady - Outside - T Street - PPV 94.0

Bloomington must become the LA of the Midwest, but we undervalued Coady all season, and for the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo Hoosiers to steal this one away from USC and UCLA, just massive for IU, and the talent isn’t going to hurt their lineup either. This was much bigger news than was made of it when it happened.

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5.  Penn State Janiah Burrage - Forza 1 North - Outside - PPV 98.5

I’m not going to tell you the story on exactly HOW this one came to be because it’s worth way more than $9 p/month, but I’ll just say that if Penn State can put a bow on what is already and amazing class for them, then this might be the most amazing “hey let’s just put some feelers out there and see what happens” class in volleyball history. Burrage is the best “fun little outside hitter project” to come along in quite a while. If she can just have a bit of patience and let the coaches work with her passing for a minute, and trust that she could be one hell of a high-flying terror and secret weapon for Nittany Nation.

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6.  Colorado - Chloe Taylor - Setter - WAVE - PPV 93.0

“We comin', we comin'.” Are you buying your Buffs season tickets yet? I loved this class day one, and then when the coach added Taylor as the Setter for this squad, our staff got jacked up! I don’t know if she necessarily plays with a chip on her shoulder, but she plays with something to prove, and Colorado VB should play that way because they do have to prove something….that they can win. But, the last two classes show that there is a spark in Gold Country, and if they can get Nike to do some kick butt alternate jerseys like West Virginia has with that Cobalt Gray and their Vegas Gold and then Black accent, that’s going to add another win or two from intimidation, plus the elevation factor #LetsGo! Seriously, this is a class that can develop into a special one, but everyone in it better crank up the work o meter x 10 and lock in to staying there a minute. I’ll be there for a match if they do.

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7.  BYU Saylor Halvorsen - Outside - SG Elite - PPV 93.7

When the 15th started, we thought Halvorsen would be the exclamation point to a Top 5 Class Nationally, instead, she is the centerpiece to a nice recruiting class in the conference. But she is a great one who can be All-Conference right away; she has that potential. Despite how other chips fell, Halvorsen was still a huge W for BYU, and she was more than wanted by other large schools.

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8.  Western Kentucky - Lucy Schmoke - Alliance - Middle - PPV 91.2

Question me, throw stones now, say I play favorites, call me names today. All I ask is that you apologize on social media in two years when this one is Freshman All-American Squad, and you hit the DONATE BUTTON on VBAdrenaline. Call it a gift or call it a curse when I know I know. I’m not afraid at all when I get big-time camp reports, and the words I hear back are “raw, but she belonged” of a girl who has played competitive volleyball for all of about 6 months. In two years, she may actually know the names of the routes coaches are trying to tell her to run and be confident enough to let her athletic ability take over and go full speed. Y’all are going to hear much more of this one down the line, and I know all the haters will apologize; they never do.

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9.  Texas - Taimane Ainu’u - Setter - Ka Ulukoa - PPV 99.4

Why does Texas rank second in the Top 10? The exact same reason they landed the first one. Everyone went after Taimane (yes, EVERYONE, Nebraska), and Texas beat out all of their rivals again

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10.  Rutgers - Leighton Fröehlich - Premier Nebraska - Middle - PPV 88.9

You know how easy it isn't to coach for a program that loses year after year, and change that mentality even in the slightest way? It sucks, and it’s HARD. So what Rutgers did early in the class deserves a major shout-out and not in a sarcastic way at all. In a you keep busting your rear ends, some people are noticing I promise!!!!!!! Leighton Fröehlich I think has the upside of a skyscraper. I watched her dominate at nationals last year as Premier won it all, and she has the build, you know, she is still growing and has good weight and size to put on. Now it’s not happening without an amazing work ethic and some dedication and sacrifice, but if that happens, Rutgers might have landed a Little Andy, but with one heck of a mean game face.

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11.  Illinois Tatum Kelly - Setter - 1st Alliance - PPV 227

Huge talent and Huge WIN for the homestate school and this a commit that the staff needed and can hopefully build momentum in the city towards Illinois for more recruits.

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12.  Arizona State Ava Nowling - Libero - Premier Nebraska - PPV 240

Hey, until in-state girls learn ASU is a heck of a program to play for, then really good out-of-state athletes are going to keep committing there. Nowling is a Top 5-7 libero in this class and has a hard- nosed side to her play that will it the ASU staff very well. This is a big commitment for the Devils as they continue their strong upper Midwest connections.

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13.  Kansas Molly McGovern - Opposite - Dynasty - PPV 96.2

Speaking of staying home to play for your in-state/in-town school, Kansas has landed ANOTHER TOP PIN from KC. McGovern is SOLID at the game, and she should have a window to train and get better with a bit of depth spaced above her. McGovern should come in with a year of strength/conditioning and cone out just ripped and ready to roll after 1 year of adjusting to college. This was so big because u grab a culture kid, an athletic athlete, and someone local, which is always a positive

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14.  UNC Julia Clarke - A5 - Middle - PPV 96.1

To me, this is simply a very solid pickup for a program that continues to add a very solid nucleus of young, coachable, and disciplined players who want to win

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15.  Pitt - Shaun Waller - Tennessee Performance - Middle - PPV 96.2

Waller is a Pitt Pick. Edgy and Raw, but with current talent and so much untapped. It might take a while to break her of some of the habits that don’t fly at the college level and hold you back from greatness or even consistent PT, but once that is gone, the sky is the limit for this one at Pitt.

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16.  Vanderbilt - Emmie Hill - TRIBE - Middle - PPV 92.3

Vandy is looking for quality now over quantity. They need to add SEC potential players who come in and add to their program. Hill has those traits, and this was a big commitment for Vandy as she was being pursued by several big schools early on in the June 15th process, and this was a huge start to their class.

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17.  TCU Trinity Johnson - Outside - TAV - PPV 97.2

We mentioned there was a battle between KU and TCU to see who could upgrade the weapon of OH in this class. TCU grabbing Johnson, who we had as one of the Top 3 or 4 best, is huge. She does so much already with her reach and power. Plus, she is multi-dimensional with the block and the attack. Advantage TCU.

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18.  Baylor Surfia Grounds - Opposite - Spike and Serve - PPV 238

Grounds came on more and more each tourney of the Spring, so much so that she was considered one of the best Opposites in the class by the end of May. She plays with energy and enthusiasm on the court. She brings a physical presence that will be big for Baylor. This was a nice sign simply for Baylor to get this W on the national stage with Rounds.

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19.  LSU - Sara Gonzalez - Libero - Alamo - PPV 92.0

This was a much quieter commitment than it should have been nationally. Gonzalez is a great libero from a club known for pushing them out. She didn’t get the USA VB recognition, but our reports said she has played well at Big Gyms settings when she has had the chance so we will see what Nationals proves for her. Regardless, they landed a very good libero who was being looked at very closely until they landed Averi Bridges. Watch her recruiting, but don’t expect Penn State to mention anything about her, maybe ever.

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20.  Auburn Emmy Garner - Setter - Tennessee Performance - PPV 91.5

Garner did an excellent job running the show for this year’s TPV squad. She is a very, very consistent and solid volleyball player and is locked in. She works her butt off and should be 

Knowing that she can relax a bit and enjoy her hard work.

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21.  Wake Forrest - Gillian Pfeiffer - HPSTL - OH/MB - PPV 90.2

Great addition and W for Wake. Pfeiffer has NTDP experience and is a physical and powerful pin/MB who can do many things on the court. She is a building block for the program that is also intense and wants to win. She has many schools interested, so for Wake to pull her out is huge for the new staff and their rebuild.

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Our Top 10 Favorite Classes So Far:

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1 Colorado: We have discussed already.

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2 Hawaii: Two prospects over 92.5 already and a big 2026 flip from Baylor this week.

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3 Auburn: When you go 91.7, 91.7, and 89.2, you are adding serious role players in year one who merge into early contributors in your culture.

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4 Texas: Again, they went nose to nose with ALL of their competitions for EVERYONE, and they were undefeated (QB, Center, Libero, OPP), an incredible class for them.

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5 Georgia adding depth!!! 

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6 Penn State: This a chill Penn State staff this year they kinda taught they were just staying that hoping they were wrong.

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7. South Carolina: Deep and hints of high-end talent in this group at SC. Plus, they are a bit more seasoned, the young guys hate to lose, and the upperclassmen hate losing.

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8. SMU: If you are only grabbing two athletes, SMU grabbed two very, very good ones in Johnson and Penrose, both potential day 1 starters for them. Great gameplay for Erger. Don’t need a lot, but get great value and talent with what you add again.

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9. Pitt: A larger class for Pitt this year, and big scores that all start with a 9 talent-wise. There are a couple of? Marks with the talent, however, they wrapped up Knox right away, and she is the cornerstone for the next half-decade.

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10. Northwestern:  We have talked about what Coach Nolann is doing at NW and the quality depth and talent he's bringing in and it's really exciting what he's doing in Chicago right now.

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More Class and Individual Notes on 2028s as we get to Indy for USA Nationals