Kansas Volleyball Announces Five Additions to 2026 Recruiting Class

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Volleyball has announced the addition of five signees to its 2026 recruiting class, including pin hitters Taylor Stanley, Avery Poulton, Tessa Dodd, Ryan Sadler, and middle blocker Jaeli Rutledge. The class brings national team experience, all-state recognition, and high-level club competition to Lawrence.

"This is a wonderful class of student-athletes. We're bringing in a lot physically at each hitter position along the net," said head coach Matt Ulmer. " This group is hungry to grow, and I'm confident they will make a great impact on our program."

Taylor Stanley

Pin Hitter | Overland Park, Kan. | Blue Valley Southwest High School

Stanley joins the Jayhawks after a standout career that includes selection to the 2025 USAV U-19 National Team and recognition as the 2025 AVCA High School Region Player of the Year. A finalist for the Evelyn Gates Award and received an invitee to the UA Next All-American Game in 2026, she has twice earned First Team All Eastern Kansas League honors and is a two-time member of the 5A State All-Tournament Team. Stanley was also named the MVP of the 2024 Girls Junior National Championship in the 16U American Division.

Avery Poulton

Pin Hitter | Bountiful, Utah | Woods Cross High School

Poulton arrives in Lawrence as one of the most accomplished attackers in Utah, ranked as the No. 1 player in the state by Prep Dig for 2025. She was a pivotal contributor to the 2025 5A Utah State Championship team and earned USA Volleyball GJNC All-Tournament honors in the 17 Open division. A dominant presence in her region, Poulton is a two-time Region MVP and has collected First Team All-State and First Team All-Region honors across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

Tessa Dodd

Pin Hitter| Laramie Wyo. | Laramie High School

Dodd comes to Kansas as the 2024 Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year and one of the most decorated athletes in the state of Wyoming. A 12-time attendee of the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program, she was selected to the AVCA High School All-Region Team in 2025. Dodd is also a back-to-back Wyoming 4A Player of the Year and earned 4A All-State and All-Conference recognition in each of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

Ryan Sadler

Pin Hitter | Atlanta, Ga. | Marietta High School

Sadler adds explosiveness and athletic versatility, earning First Team All-Region honors in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and being named to the GVCA All-State First Team in 2025. She has competed within the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program, participating in the Winter Training Series in 2025 and continuing her development with NTDP experience in 2026. Sadler is also a standout track athlete, winning the 2023 Region 7A High Jump Championship and placing second in 2024.

Jaeli Rutledge

Middle Blocker | Webb City, Mo. | Edmond North High School

Rutledge, who represents her home state of Missouri in all materials, brings a decorated resume highlighted by AVCA All-Region recognition in 2025 and being voted the Best Volleyball Player in the OKC Metro the same year. She was selected to the Oklahoma 6A All-State Team in 2025 and earned COAC First Team All-Conference honors. In Missouri, Rutledge has been ranked as the No. 2 player in the state from 2021 to 2024, earning Missouri All-State honors in 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with three consecutive Class 4 All-District selections.

University of Kansas Athletics

Kansas Volleyball Announces Five Additions to 2026 Recruiting Class

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