Analyzing 40+ D1 Commits from Illinois 2027 Updated Rankings

Illinois is loaded with volleyball talent, if you're reading this - I don't need to tell you that. However, where are these athletes going to college?  What trends are we seeing?  I enjoy a good breakdown of seeing trends over time.  This is what we are seeing from Illinois.  

Number of D1 Recruits in Illinois

Class of 2027 - 41 (current number, other classes are updated at year end)

Class of 2026 - 44

Class of 2025 - 51

Class of 2024 - 50 

Where Is The Class of 2027 Going? 

There are athletes who are heading all over the country.  Lexi Van Eekeren Lexi Van Eekeren 5'9" Benet Academy | 2027 IL will be taking her talents to Hawaii while there are a handful of athletes going to the opposite coast with Peyton Heatherly Peyton Heatherly 5'11" | S Mother McAuley | 2027 State #77 Nation IL and Daniella Hopp Daniella Hopp 5'11" | OH Richmond (R.-Burton) | 2027 State IL are going to Coastal Carolina located in Conway, South Carolina. 

However, the two conferences represented the most are the Atlantic 10 and the MAC.  This comes at no surprise with roots in the heart of Illinois, specifically in Chicago.  When it comes to the A10, Loyola-Chicago has been able to keep high level athletes close to home and are year in and year out competing for a conference title.  They will bring in Sophia Blank Sophia Blank 6'2" | MB Yorkville | 2027 State IL in from the Class of 2027, but have already loaded up on 2028s that will be coming in as well. 

The MAC is set up geographically where if you live in Illinois, you can drive  to most of these cities within 6 to 8 hours.  Aubrey Martinez Aubrey Martinez 5'9" | DS/L/OH St. Laurence | 2027 State IL will be heading to Muncie, Indiana to play for Ball State who is one of the top mid majors in the country. Ball State is another program who has been able to recruit Illinois kids over and have already picked up 2028s from the state as well. 

Atlantic 10 Commits

MAC Commits

The B1G and ACC

I will always consider Chicago as the homebase for the Big Ten.  With plenty of Big Ten Championships being hosted in the city and is also a recruiting battleground for plenty of these Big Ten schools.  Maggie Kurpekis will be the top commit out of the Class of 2027 from Illinois to take her talents to Michigan where there are plenty of families ties for her there with her mom and dad being alums, playing volleyball and football there.  Kalyn Brookbank Kalyn Brookbank OH Barrington | 2027 State IL is one who came on to the recruiting scene late as a 17s playing for Adversity .  Her performance at Triple Crown in Kansas City over Presidents Day earlier this year caught the eye of plenty of college coaches with her giving her verbal later in the spring.  Carly Dawson Carly Dawson 6'0" | OH Washington Community | 2027 State #161 Nation IL will continue the Illinois to Iowa pipeline for the Hawkeyes.  Coach Jim Barnes and his staff have been able to pull some high level preps over the past three recruiting classes. Amelia Lamberti Amelia Lamberti 6'0" | S/RS Limestone Community | 2027 State #173 Nation IL will stay close to home, playing for Illinois who is starting to get some in-state recruiting momentum with their 2028 class as well. 

The ACC is continuing to improve as a conference among the national landscape.  North Carolina is one of the rise where they've had some Illinois athletes on their roster that includes Chelsea Thorpe who is a 1st Alliance alum.  Kalia Kroth Kalia Kroth 5'9" | OH IL is an electric all around player also from 1st Alliance who will be a Tar Heel. She packs a mean punch with her swing and can also server receive and defend.  Kyla Mitchell Kyla Mitchell 6'3" | MB Lockport | 2027 State #110 Nation IL is top middle out of Illinois where she brings a blend of physicality and athleticism, taking over a game. Before she heads to Virginia she will look to lead Lockport back to state after having to sit her junior year due to injury.  Morgan Wiezorek Morgan Wiezorek 5'8" | S/RS Glenwood | 2027 State IL is in out of Western Illinois where she plays her club ball for Rockwood Thunder.  She just adds another dimension of competitiveness to her team where she can set and swing, doing whatever her side needs.  She will will head to Virgina Tech. 

The Big Ten 

The ACC 

All D1 Commits For Illinois Class of 2027