Washington Signs Five Freshmen For 2026
November 13, 2025 | Volleyball
SEATTLE โ The largest incoming freshman class that UW Volleyball has seen in years is taking shape with five student-athletes signing their financial aid agreements on Nov. 12. Head Coach Leslie Gabriel calls this class "the foundation of our future."
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The initial five signees include setter Lily Mae Buerkle, middle blocker Hayden Conner, outside hitter Sammy Destler, outside hitter Kylie Kleckner, and libero Kaitlyn Nguyen.
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The group comes from five different states. Buerkle is a Portland, Oregon native. Conner comes from Phoenix, Arizona. Destler is a Los Angeles product and Kleckner calls Trophy Club, Texas home. Nguyen is the local standout, from Bellevue, Washington.
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"Our 2026 class is special," says Gabriel. "We set out to find true competitorsโplayers who love the game, play it the right way, and elevate everyone around them. We've added elite talent at every position, and this group will serve as the foundation for what we're building in the years to come."
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Washington Volleyball Class of 2026
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LILY MAE BUERKLE โ Setterย |ย 5-11ย |ย Portland, Ore.
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Notable: A two-time Portland Interscholastic League Player of the Year โฆ ranked as the No. 1 setter in Oregon by PrepDig.com and No. 2 overall recruit in the state โฆ Buerkle led her high school team to the playoffs in 2022 for the first time in over 30 years and has helped them to the playoffs every year since โฆ her NPJ club finished the 2025 season ranked No. 7 nationally and finished fifth at the Triple Crown NIT and took third at 2025 Under Armour Nationals 18s.
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Why Washington?
Washington has always been my dream school, and from the very first moment I interacted with the coaches and the program, I knew I had found a place where I would get pushed to be the best version of myself. Theย coaches and players have always made me feel like I belonged, and the gym feels like home. I can't imagine myself anywhere else, and I'm so excited to compete with this amazing group of girls! Go Dawgs!!
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HAYDEN CONNER โ Middle Blockerย |ย 6-3ย |ย Phoenix, Ariz.
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Notable: An AVCA High School All-American in 2024 and 2025, earning Third Team honors โฆ the 2025 Arizona House of Payne Tournament MVP โฆ led her club team to a 19th-place finish in the Open Division at USAV Nationals โฆ helped her high school team take second in her conference in 2024.
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Why Washington?
I've always admired the beauty of Washington whenย visitingย family growing up,ย so UW alreadyย felt like home. Getting to know the UW coaches and current players showed me how special the program really is. The culture they've built is competitive, supportive, and something I'm thrilled toย be a part of. Between the beautiful campus, great academics, and chance to compete at a high level, UW is everything I'm looking for. I am so excited to start my next chapter as a Husky. Go Dawgs!
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SAMMY DESTLER โ Outside Hitterย |ย 6-1ย |ย Los Angeles, Calif.
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Notable: Named a 2025 AVCA Second Team High School All-American โฆ a MaxPreps All-American in 2024 โฆ MVP of the 2025 Durango Fall Classic โฆ All-CIF Team in 2023 and 2024 โฆ helped her 16s club squad to the 2024 USA Nationals Gold Medal in the Open Division, and in 2025 her 17s club team won Bronze โฆ led high school team to the Durango Fall Classic Tournament title in 2025.
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Why Washington?
Washington has everything I am looking for in a university. I was immediately drawn to the high level volleyball program and, especially after visiting, felt an instant connection to the amazing coaching staff and strong team culture. I was also drawn to the school's strong academic reputation and respected business program. I know that the University of Washington is going to bring out the best in me. I'm so excited to be a part of Husky Nation. Go Dawgs!
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KYLIE KLECKNER โ Outside Hitterย |ย 6-0ย |ย Trophy Club, Texas
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Notable: Named a 2025 AVCA Second Team High School All-American โฆ the 2024 MaxPreps Junior National Player of the Year โฆ powers the No. 1-ranked high school team in the nation, the 2024 and 2025 Texas 6A State Champions from Byron Nelson โฆ Byron Nelson has gone 82-1 over the past two seasons and was 42-0 in 2025 โฆ the 2024 Texas 6A State MVP and HSCA Female Athlete of the Year โฆ led club team to the 2024 USAV 17 Open Silver Medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team and a USAV All-American.
ย
Why Washington?
Ever since I started playing volleyball, I've dreamed of being a Husky. Growing up watching the Dawgs compete with some of the best teams in the country is what made me fall in love with the game. Gettingย the opportunityย to play in the B1Gโagainst the highest level of competitionโis honestly a dream come true. The combinationย of top-tier athletics and incredible academics at the University of Washington has always stood out to me, but what really made it special was how welcoming the coaches and players were. It truly felt like home. I can't wait to get back to Seattle and compete.ย Go Dawgs!
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KAITLYN NGUYEN โ Liberoย |ย 5-4ย |ย Bellevue, Wash.
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Notable: Nguyen has been part of the USAV National Training Development Program for both indoor and beach volleyball โฆ she is a two-time KingCo 3A MVP and two-time All-State Tournament Team selection โฆ the third-ranked player overall in the state of Washington according to PrepDig โฆ listed in PrepVolleyball's Top-150 for 2026
ย
Why Washington?
Ever since attending the UW camps when I was eight years old, I've lovedย being around the coaches and team who provide a welcoming yet competitiveย environment where I feel supported. UW is the perfect combination of high-level academicsย with the best competition in athletics, and attending the school has always been a goal of mine. I'm so excited to start my next chapter as part of Husky Nation. Go Dawgs!
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The initial five signees include setter Lily Mae Buerkle, middle blocker Hayden Conner, outside hitter Sammy Destler, outside hitter Kylie Kleckner, and libero Kaitlyn Nguyen.
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The group comes from five different states. Buerkle is a Portland, Oregon native. Conner comes from Phoenix, Arizona. Destler is a Los Angeles product and Kleckner calls Trophy Club, Texas home. Nguyen is the local standout, from Bellevue, Washington.
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"Our 2026 class is special," says Gabriel. "We set out to find true competitorsโplayers who love the game, play it the right way, and elevate everyone around them. We've added elite talent at every position, and this group will serve as the foundation for what we're building in the years to come."
ย
Washington Volleyball Class of 2026
ย
LILY MAE BUERKLE โ Setterย |ย 5-11ย |ย Portland, Ore.
ย
Notable: A two-time Portland Interscholastic League Player of the Year โฆ ranked as the No. 1 setter in Oregon by PrepDig.com and No. 2 overall recruit in the state โฆ Buerkle led her high school team to the playoffs in 2022 for the first time in over 30 years and has helped them to the playoffs every year since โฆ her NPJ club finished the 2025 season ranked No. 7 nationally and finished fifth at the Triple Crown NIT and took third at 2025 Under Armour Nationals 18s.
ย
Why Washington?
Washington has always been my dream school, and from the very first moment I interacted with the coaches and the program, I knew I had found a place where I would get pushed to be the best version of myself. Theย coaches and players have always made me feel like I belonged, and the gym feels like home. I can't imagine myself anywhere else, and I'm so excited to compete with this amazing group of girls! Go Dawgs!!
ย
HAYDEN CONNER โ Middle Blockerย |ย 6-3ย |ย Phoenix, Ariz.
ย
Notable: An AVCA High School All-American in 2024 and 2025, earning Third Team honors โฆ the 2025 Arizona House of Payne Tournament MVP โฆ led her club team to a 19th-place finish in the Open Division at USAV Nationals โฆ helped her high school team take second in her conference in 2024.
ย
Why Washington?
I've always admired the beauty of Washington whenย visitingย family growing up,ย so UW alreadyย felt like home. Getting to know the UW coaches and current players showed me how special the program really is. The culture they've built is competitive, supportive, and something I'm thrilled toย be a part of. Between the beautiful campus, great academics, and chance to compete at a high level, UW is everything I'm looking for. I am so excited to start my next chapter as a Husky. Go Dawgs!
ย
SAMMY DESTLER โ Outside Hitterย |ย 6-1ย |ย Los Angeles, Calif.
ย
Notable: Named a 2025 AVCA Second Team High School All-American โฆ a MaxPreps All-American in 2024 โฆ MVP of the 2025 Durango Fall Classic โฆ All-CIF Team in 2023 and 2024 โฆ helped her 16s club squad to the 2024 USA Nationals Gold Medal in the Open Division, and in 2025 her 17s club team won Bronze โฆ led high school team to the Durango Fall Classic Tournament title in 2025.
ย
Why Washington?
Washington has everything I am looking for in a university. I was immediately drawn to the high level volleyball program and, especially after visiting, felt an instant connection to the amazing coaching staff and strong team culture. I was also drawn to the school's strong academic reputation and respected business program. I know that the University of Washington is going to bring out the best in me. I'm so excited to be a part of Husky Nation. Go Dawgs!
ย
KYLIE KLECKNER โ Outside Hitterย |ย 6-0ย |ย Trophy Club, Texas
ย
Notable: Named a 2025 AVCA Second Team High School All-American โฆ the 2024 MaxPreps Junior National Player of the Year โฆ powers the No. 1-ranked high school team in the nation, the 2024 and 2025 Texas 6A State Champions from Byron Nelson โฆ Byron Nelson has gone 82-1 over the past two seasons and was 42-0 in 2025 โฆ the 2024 Texas 6A State MVP and HSCA Female Athlete of the Year โฆ led club team to the 2024 USAV 17 Open Silver Medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team and a USAV All-American.
ย
Why Washington?
Ever since I started playing volleyball, I've dreamed of being a Husky. Growing up watching the Dawgs compete with some of the best teams in the country is what made me fall in love with the game. Gettingย the opportunityย to play in the B1Gโagainst the highest level of competitionโis honestly a dream come true. The combinationย of top-tier athletics and incredible academics at the University of Washington has always stood out to me, but what really made it special was how welcoming the coaches and players were. It truly felt like home. I can't wait to get back to Seattle and compete.ย Go Dawgs!
ย
KAITLYN NGUYEN โ Liberoย |ย 5-4ย |ย Bellevue, Wash.
ย
Notable: Nguyen has been part of the USAV National Training Development Program for both indoor and beach volleyball โฆ she is a two-time KingCo 3A MVP and two-time All-State Tournament Team selection โฆ the third-ranked player overall in the state of Washington according to PrepDig โฆ listed in PrepVolleyball's Top-150 for 2026
ย
Why Washington?
Ever since attending the UW camps when I was eight years old, I've lovedย being around the coaches and team who provide a welcoming yet competitiveย environment where I feel supported. UW is the perfect combination of high-level academicsย with the best competition in athletics, and attending the school has always been a goal of mine. I'm so excited to start my next chapter as part of Husky Nation. Go Dawgs!
ย
Seniors Markley and Hani team up to extend the match with the rejection!! ๐ค
Friday, November 28
Washington 3, Maryland 0 | Huskies Highlights
Thursday, November 27
Thatโs the game โ
Thursday, November 27
Two sets down for the dawgs ๐ฎโ๐จ
Thursday, November 27
