Indiana University Athletics
Recruiting Momentum Continues with Nationally-Ranked Class
11/12/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As the Indiana volleyball team continues to rise the ranks of the Big Ten, it will do so with the help of talented prep recruits. For the second-straight season, head coach Steve Aird and his staff have signed a top-15 nationally-ranked recruiting class. All three players that will sign are in the top-60 of the Prep Volleyball Rankings as of National Signing Day (Nov. 12).
"The 2026 class adds three high-level, high-character athletes to our program. They are well trained, competitive and expect to contribute early and often," Aird said. "I am proud of how far we have come over the last few years, but we want to keep pushing. Our depth is becoming a strength and that is so important in the Big Ten. The next few years we are stacking top recruiting classes with players that are coming to IU and expect to win. These three are winners and they know where we want to go. Our entire program is excited to welcome them to Bloomington and they are ready to get to work."
The Hoosiers will welcome three freshmen to the program next season, two of which will graduate high school early and join the team in January. The three players are all from the Midwest – with two from Ohio and one from the state of Indiana. The group covers three valuable positions for the future of IU's team.
Mallory Matheny, a 5-11 setter from Columbus, Ohio, is set to become the next great player in a long list of talented setters coached by Aird. As of signing day, she's the No. 21 overall recruit in the country by Prep Volleyball – making her the second-highest ranked player to sign at IU (per the recruiting service).
Matheny was named an Under Armour All-American this fall after a prolific club and high school career. She is the third signee in program history to earn the prestigious honor (Emily Fitzner, Ramsey Gary) and will head to Orlando on January 1st, 2026 to play in the premier high school all-star event.
The young setter provided nearly 2,000 assists in her high school career and contributed over 500 digs. She prepped at Bishop Hartley High School where she was a four-time all-conference selection. She also helped lead Mintonette Volleyball Club to the 16 Open AAU National Championship in 2024.
Sara Snowbarger, a 6-1 outside hitter from Wooster, Ohio, is next in line to produce at a high level on the left side of IU's offense. A true six-rotation player with an excellent feel for the game, Snowbarger was the first commit in IU's 2026 class. She is the No. 35-ranked player by Prep Volleyball and the fifth-highest ranked signee in program history.
It's the second-straight season that IU will have signed a pair of top-50 recruits. Current freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been as advertised in her first season at IU. The Hoosiers will hope to get the same impact from Matheny and Snowbarger next year. Freshman outside hitter Charlotte Vinson was a top-25 nationally ranked recruit and is expected to play a big part in the future of the program.
Ellie Hepler, a 5-5 libero and defensive specialist from Warsaw, Indiana, adds depth to a talented collection of young back row players in Bloomington. She is the No. 59 overall recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025) and the No. 71 overall recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025). Hepler played her club volleyball for Boiler Juniors.
During her high school career, Hepler broke the Warsaw school record with 2,007 digs. She averaged 4.90 digs per set across four years at Warsaw and also provided 236 aces in her prep career. The Tigers went 104-34 during her four-year career in high school. She was coached by her mother, Chandra, in her prep career.
She joins a group of back row players that includes talented freshmen Audrey Jackson, Hannah Leftridge and Avery Freeman. All three players have spent time in the libero jersey for IU this season and will factor into the success of the program for years to come. IU will now have signed four top-180 recruits at the position in the last two seasons.
When complete, it's expected that IU's signing class will be one of, if not, the highest in program history. Last year's group was ranked top 15 in the nation by Prep Dig and Prep Volleyball. All three players in the 2026 group are ranked nationally in the top 60 by Prep Volleyball. It is set to be the third top-15 recruiting class that Aird has signed in his time in Bloomington.
This year's IU team is enjoying one of the best seasons in program history. As of Nov. 12th, IU is 19-5 (10-4 B1G) and enroute to its first NCAA tournament bid since 2010. Five of IU's regular rotation players are freshmen, including Jager, middle blocker Victoria Gray and setter Teodora Kričković.
Mallory Matheny • 5-11 • Setter • Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley (Mintonette)
• No. 21 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 50 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Under Armour All-American – third recruited to Indiana by head coach Steve Aird
• Career Stats: 1,800 assists, 756 digs, 219 aces, 202 kills
• Four-time All-CCL Conference selection
• 2025 JVA All-National Team
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2025, 2024 OHSVCA Second Team All-State (Division III)
• 2024 Second Team All-OHSAA Selection
• 2024 AAU 16 Open National Champion
• 2024 AAU 16 Open All-Tournament Team
Matheny – Why IU: "It immediately felt like home the first time stepping into the gym. The culture is unlike any other program. It was a place I know I will grow and be pushed every day in with the most amazing people."
Aird on Matheny: "In our evaluations during the club season, Mallory was one of the best setter prospects in the country. He skill level is elite and she can flat out run a team. But her soft skills and leadership qualities are what sold me. Her communication, energy and passion immediately present themselves when you watch her compete. She plays hard, is driven to be great and will compete every single day. Our setting group is a strength of this program and it will allow us to play any system we want in 2026 and beyond. She will also be joining us in January and will have an excellent runway to contribute from day one."
Sara Snowbarger • 6-1 • Outside Hitter • Wooster, Ohio/Wooster (Mintonette)
• No. 35 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 104 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Career Stats: 1,923 kills, 1,397 digs, 204 aces, .368 hitting percentage
• Wooster Career Kills Record (1,923) and Career Digs Record (1,397)
• Top 10 in Ohio State High School History in Kills (1,923)
• 2025, 2024 and 2023 OHSVCA First Team All-State (Division II)
• 2025 JVA All-National Team
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2024 Finalist for Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year
• 2024 AAU 16 Open National Champion
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at Wooster High School
• Four-year team MVP and three-year team captain
• Four-time District Player of the Year
• Member of three OCC championship teams
Snowbarger – Why IU: "The first time I came to camp I knew there was something special about IU, it was weird, it felt like home instantly. I loved how the coaches related to the players and how they taught the game, then once I started to meet the team it was a no brainer, I just love everything about the program!"
Aird on Snowbarger: "Sara is a true six-rotation outside hitter with all the tools. She is an exceptional passer with a high volleyball IQ and a great feel for the game. She had a fantastic prep career and accomplished a great deal in high school and club. Sara competes hard, is a great teammate and will add value to the program across the board. She will enroll early in January and I am certain that the spring will allow her to adjust, get stronger and gain confidence before the 2026 season.
Ellie Hepler • 5-5 • Defensive Specialist/Libero • Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw (Boiler Juniors)
• No. 59 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 71 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Career Stats: 2,007 digs, 436 assists, 236 aces
• Warsaw Career Digs Record (2,007)
• 2025 IHSVCA First Team All-State (4A)
• 2025 First Team All-Conference Selection
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2024 IHSVCA Second Team All-State (4A)
• 2024 IHSVCA Junior All-Star Game Selection (3A/4A)
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at Warsaw High School
Hepler – Why IU: "It is an amazing culture and felt like home with the staff and players."
Aird on Hepler: "Ellie is all gas, no breaks with a contagious energy that IU fans will love. She plays the game hard but with a joy that is uncommon. She will add to a stable of young libero/defensive specialists that raise the level of our gym and provides the program with another highly capable option. Our team motto is to 'play hard and play fast' and she does that consistently. She will make everyone in the program better and we are fortunate she chose IU."
"The 2026 class adds three high-level, high-character athletes to our program. They are well trained, competitive and expect to contribute early and often," Aird said. "I am proud of how far we have come over the last few years, but we want to keep pushing. Our depth is becoming a strength and that is so important in the Big Ten. The next few years we are stacking top recruiting classes with players that are coming to IU and expect to win. These three are winners and they know where we want to go. Our entire program is excited to welcome them to Bloomington and they are ready to get to work."
The Hoosiers will welcome three freshmen to the program next season, two of which will graduate high school early and join the team in January. The three players are all from the Midwest – with two from Ohio and one from the state of Indiana. The group covers three valuable positions for the future of IU's team.
Mallory Matheny, a 5-11 setter from Columbus, Ohio, is set to become the next great player in a long list of talented setters coached by Aird. As of signing day, she's the No. 21 overall recruit in the country by Prep Volleyball – making her the second-highest ranked player to sign at IU (per the recruiting service).
Matheny was named an Under Armour All-American this fall after a prolific club and high school career. She is the third signee in program history to earn the prestigious honor (Emily Fitzner, Ramsey Gary) and will head to Orlando on January 1st, 2026 to play in the premier high school all-star event.
The young setter provided nearly 2,000 assists in her high school career and contributed over 500 digs. She prepped at Bishop Hartley High School where she was a four-time all-conference selection. She also helped lead Mintonette Volleyball Club to the 16 Open AAU National Championship in 2024.
Sara Snowbarger, a 6-1 outside hitter from Wooster, Ohio, is next in line to produce at a high level on the left side of IU's offense. A true six-rotation player with an excellent feel for the game, Snowbarger was the first commit in IU's 2026 class. She is the No. 35-ranked player by Prep Volleyball and the fifth-highest ranked signee in program history.
It's the second-straight season that IU will have signed a pair of top-50 recruits. Current freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager has been as advertised in her first season at IU. The Hoosiers will hope to get the same impact from Matheny and Snowbarger next year. Freshman outside hitter Charlotte Vinson was a top-25 nationally ranked recruit and is expected to play a big part in the future of the program.
Ellie Hepler, a 5-5 libero and defensive specialist from Warsaw, Indiana, adds depth to a talented collection of young back row players in Bloomington. She is the No. 59 overall recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025) and the No. 71 overall recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025). Hepler played her club volleyball for Boiler Juniors.
During her high school career, Hepler broke the Warsaw school record with 2,007 digs. She averaged 4.90 digs per set across four years at Warsaw and also provided 236 aces in her prep career. The Tigers went 104-34 during her four-year career in high school. She was coached by her mother, Chandra, in her prep career.
She joins a group of back row players that includes talented freshmen Audrey Jackson, Hannah Leftridge and Avery Freeman. All three players have spent time in the libero jersey for IU this season and will factor into the success of the program for years to come. IU will now have signed four top-180 recruits at the position in the last two seasons.
When complete, it's expected that IU's signing class will be one of, if not, the highest in program history. Last year's group was ranked top 15 in the nation by Prep Dig and Prep Volleyball. All three players in the 2026 group are ranked nationally in the top 60 by Prep Volleyball. It is set to be the third top-15 recruiting class that Aird has signed in his time in Bloomington.
This year's IU team is enjoying one of the best seasons in program history. As of Nov. 12th, IU is 19-5 (10-4 B1G) and enroute to its first NCAA tournament bid since 2010. Five of IU's regular rotation players are freshmen, including Jager, middle blocker Victoria Gray and setter Teodora Kričković.
Mallory Matheny • 5-11 • Setter • Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley (Mintonette)
• No. 21 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 50 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Under Armour All-American – third recruited to Indiana by head coach Steve Aird
• Career Stats: 1,800 assists, 756 digs, 219 aces, 202 kills
• Four-time All-CCL Conference selection
• 2025 JVA All-National Team
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2025, 2024 OHSVCA Second Team All-State (Division III)
• 2024 Second Team All-OHSAA Selection
• 2024 AAU 16 Open National Champion
• 2024 AAU 16 Open All-Tournament Team
Matheny – Why IU: "It immediately felt like home the first time stepping into the gym. The culture is unlike any other program. It was a place I know I will grow and be pushed every day in with the most amazing people."
Aird on Matheny: "In our evaluations during the club season, Mallory was one of the best setter prospects in the country. He skill level is elite and she can flat out run a team. But her soft skills and leadership qualities are what sold me. Her communication, energy and passion immediately present themselves when you watch her compete. She plays hard, is driven to be great and will compete every single day. Our setting group is a strength of this program and it will allow us to play any system we want in 2026 and beyond. She will also be joining us in January and will have an excellent runway to contribute from day one."
Sara Snowbarger • 6-1 • Outside Hitter • Wooster, Ohio/Wooster (Mintonette)
• No. 35 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 104 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Career Stats: 1,923 kills, 1,397 digs, 204 aces, .368 hitting percentage
• Wooster Career Kills Record (1,923) and Career Digs Record (1,397)
• Top 10 in Ohio State High School History in Kills (1,923)
• 2025, 2024 and 2023 OHSVCA First Team All-State (Division II)
• 2025 JVA All-National Team
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2024 Finalist for Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year
• 2024 AAU 16 Open National Champion
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at Wooster High School
• Four-year team MVP and three-year team captain
• Four-time District Player of the Year
• Member of three OCC championship teams
Snowbarger – Why IU: "The first time I came to camp I knew there was something special about IU, it was weird, it felt like home instantly. I loved how the coaches related to the players and how they taught the game, then once I started to meet the team it was a no brainer, I just love everything about the program!"
Aird on Snowbarger: "Sara is a true six-rotation outside hitter with all the tools. She is an exceptional passer with a high volleyball IQ and a great feel for the game. She had a fantastic prep career and accomplished a great deal in high school and club. Sara competes hard, is a great teammate and will add value to the program across the board. She will enroll early in January and I am certain that the spring will allow her to adjust, get stronger and gain confidence before the 2026 season.
Ellie Hepler • 5-5 • Defensive Specialist/Libero • Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw (Boiler Juniors)
• No. 59 Overall Recruit by Prep Volleyball (July 2025)
• No. 71 Overall Recruit by Prep Dig (October 2025)
• Career Stats: 2,007 digs, 436 assists, 236 aces
• Warsaw Career Digs Record (2,007)
• 2025 IHSVCA First Team All-State (4A)
• 2025 First Team All-Conference Selection
• 2025 AVCA High School All-American Watch List
• 2024 IHSVCA Second Team All-State (4A)
• 2024 IHSVCA Junior All-Star Game Selection (3A/4A)
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at Warsaw High School
Hepler – Why IU: "It is an amazing culture and felt like home with the staff and players."
Aird on Hepler: "Ellie is all gas, no breaks with a contagious energy that IU fans will love. She plays the game hard but with a joy that is uncommon. She will add to a stable of young libero/defensive specialists that raise the level of our gym and provides the program with another highly capable option. Our team motto is to 'play hard and play fast' and she does that consistently. She will make everyone in the program better and we are fortunate she chose IU."
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballIUVB vs. Oregon: Highlights
Friday, November 14
IUVB at Wisconsin: Highlights
Sunday, November 09
IUVB vs. Iowa: Highlights
Friday, November 07
IUVB at Penn State: Highlights
Sunday, November 02