Which Top 2026's Got Called On the Opening Weekend of Recruiting

Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!   –   It's OFFICIALLY that time of year!   Every year, June 15th marks the opening day for the recruiting floodgates to open for sophomores everywhere across the country. Since the inception of this recruiting rule just a few years ago, the date has become more and more of an unspoken holiday in the sport.   This year's June 15th date left no crumbs on the table. There has been huge announcements left and right, more than normal it seems. But the best part are the surprising names entering the chat.   Before we go on to discuss the opening weekend of the 2026's recruitment window opening, take a look at some of the top names to emerge from this weekend.   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Name - Club</td><td>College Commitment</td><td>Name - Club</td><td>College Commitment</td></tr><tr><td>Rylan Miller - OTVA J</td><td>University of Georgia</td><td>Genevieve Harris - NC Academy</td><td>University of Texas</td></tr><tr><td>Taylor Bruce - NC Academy</td><td>University of Georgia</td><td>Allie Beers - MKE Sting</td><td>Marquette University </td></tr><tr><td>Sara Snowbarger - Mintonette</td><td>Indiana University </td><td>Ellie Hepler - Boiler Juniors</td><td>Indiana University</td></tr><tr><td>Katie Raymer - Triangle</td><td>Louisiana State University</td><td>Emma Cugino - Mintonette</td><td>University of Texas</td></tr><tr><td>Henley Anderson - Austin Skyline</td><td>University of Texas</td><td>Danielle Whitmire - TAV</td><td>Penn State University </td></tr><tr><td>Natalie Langston - NC Academy</td><td>Liberty University</td><td>Kymora Scott - Xtreme Performance</td><td>University of Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>Gabby Divita - Legacy</td><td>University of Nebraska</td><td>Mallory Matheny - Mintonette</td><td>Indiana University</td></tr><tr><td>Brooke Harwood - AZ Storm</td><td>University of California - Los Angeles</td><td>Caydence Doolan - Metro</td><td>Marquette University</td></tr><tr><td>Giavanna Artiles - Tribe</td><td>University of Georgia</td><td>Lynney Tarnow - 1st Alliance</td><td>University of Wisconsin </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2x Defending Champs Take a Swing and Nab Another Huge Class</h2>   Year after year, there are a few programs that immediately put their pen to paper and grab up some of the best talent the respective class has to offer. Per usual, the University of Texas is one of those programs to strike first. This 2026 class was no different. With a whopping three commits within the span of two days, HC Jerritt Elliott and Company have wasted no time.   Of the first names to drop the ball was Genevieve Harris out of North Carolina. Harris is not only touted as one of the top prospects in her home state, but she is ranked as the top rated setter in the entire country. The command that this player brings to the court is absolutely stunning to see. Watching her lead her club team to a Big South Qualifier Championship in late March was a feast for the eyes. Harris was also recently named to the USA U19 National Team.   Next up on the call sheet, Emma Cugino out of Ohio has thrown up her Horns. From one orange jersey to the next, Cugino is going to be holding down the back court with ease in Austin. Currently ranked as the third best libero in this class, Cugino brings loads of championship experience to Texas. Acting as the libero for Mintonette for nearly her entire career thus far, Cugino has lead her club team to multiple national championships already.   And Finally, rounding out the trio is a hometown hero, Henley Anderson. Completing the trifecta from first to third contact, Anderson is a powerhouse. Touted as Prep Dig's top overall recruit in the 2026 class, this player is huge for the Longhorns. At 6'4, Anderson tacks on to the already HUGE line of attackers Texas will have at the time of her arrival. Including the 2025 class, Coach Elliott's front line will average an insane height of 6'4 along the net. Anderson will also be joining future teammate Harris on the U19 National Team this summer.   Overall, looking at this already insane line up of incomers for the 2026 class, I think the Longhorns have found themselves ANOTHER No. 1 recruiting class. This is a tough act to follow though after their mass pick up of 2025s. Already a favorite for another National Title in 2024, Texas is showing no signs of slowing down after.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The New Kids on the Block ??</h2>   This year's June 15th has seen quite a few things happen that were NOT on my bingo card. Georgia Bulldogs? Indiana Hoosiers? Welcome to the party! These are two names that haven't really been in the perennial recruiting conversations. But for the 2026 class, they are striking early and picking up HUGE talent.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Georgia</h4>   Can we talk about the dawgs?! HC Tom Black has really done some outstanding work since taking over Georgia back in 2016. In 2022, Black was named the SEC Coach of the Year after leading the dogs to one of their best seasons in program history that included a 23-7 regular season record and a third place in the SEC. In both of the last two seasons, Georgia has made the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round in 2022. But I think this recruiting class may be some of his best work yet.   Marking the first commitment for the 2026 class, Georgia picked up OTVA Jacksonville Libero, Rylan Miller. Her announcement coming EARLY morning on June 15th. Following Miller, Georgia went on to earn verbal commitments from OPP Taylor Bruce out of NC Academy and OH Giavanna Artiles out of Tribe. Both Miller and Bruce are touted as some of the top prospects in their respective states. As for Artiles, this marks one of the first Top 15 recruits for Black in a few years!   Don't count them out now, the Bulldogs are here to stay!   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana</h4>   Hoosier daddy?! In very similar fashion to Black of Georgia, HC Steve Aird has steadily molded Indiana into quite the product. Not only is Hoosier land the place to be, but its one of the top emerging powers in the Big Ten and National Stage. With three huge commits in the opening weekend, this will go down as Aird's second top ranked recruiting class in a row. Let's break it down.   Like Georgia and Texas, Indiana was one of the first schools to be grab a commit on June 15th. Taking advantage of a real talented crew from Mintonette, Aird picked up OH Sara Snowbarger off the bat. This wouldn't be the only one from this team that Indiana would grab hold of, they would also earn a verbal from S Mallory Matheny. Alongside Cugino going to Texas, this team has been the IT team in their respective age group for years now. National championships aplenty, this team just knows how to win. For Coach Aird, this is a dangerous combo. Joining these two and rounding out a trifecta of all three contacts, L Ellie Hepler from Boiler Juniors announced her commitment on Saturday.   Like I said, after a rather incredible class in 2025, the Hoosiers wasted no time with the impressive follow up here. Even if this were to be the end of this class, it would be one heck of a group coming in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Mid Majors Getting Started Early</h2>   In the world of "Power 5 or bust"... (Or should I say Power 4? Thank you Big Ten...) Some of the biggest names in the mid-majors sometimes take a while to get on the board. But not this year, within the first 48 hours of the window opening, a mid-major would grab a big get.   A program that is seeing themselves in a bit of a rebuild with a new coaching staff, a player like Natalie Langston is quite the get for Liberty University. Yet, ANOTHER, NC Academy kid off of the table. For a program looking to turn the tides, this is definitely the one to start it off with. Ranked as one of the top 100 players in the country, Langston has got an incredible pop to her game that will surely bode Liberty wonders.   Up next, one of the better known mid-majors, Marquette would find themselves with not one but TWO huge verbals this weekend. First coming from the home base of Milwaukee, MB Allie Beers out of MKE Sting announced her commitment on the 15th. Not too long after, OH Caydence Doolan from Metro joined the party. The two of these players are quite the gets for HC Ryan Theis. This program is a constant threat in the Big East and a perennial participant in the NCAA tournament. With a recruiting class starting off this strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see this continue and grow.

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