CHAMPAIGN — Mia Lamberti was already drawing Division I interest as a freshman at Limestone. It got a little more specific during her sophomore season with the Rockets, with Big Ten and SEC programs in pursuit.
Lamberti spent the first half of June hitting multiple camps. First came a trip to Missouri on June 4 and then on to Kansas a day later. The Limestone junior attended Iowa’s elite prospect camp on Thursday and Illinois’ elite camp Saturday.
Lamberti’s whirlwind month continued Sunday when she became Illinois’ first commitment in the Class of 2027. The Illini’s future recruiting efforts also include a pair of 2026 commitments from Angola (Ind.) outside hitter Maya Harris and Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) outside hitter Madison Miles.
Securing a commitment from Lamberti means Illinois is starting its 2027 recruiting class with a setter. Their newest commit has played six rotations for Limestone the past two seasons splitting her time at setter and opposite.
Lamberti had 393 assists, 309 kills, 136 digs and 49 aces during her freshman season with the Rockets where she was a News-Gazette All-State Second Team selection.
The follow-up last fall was even better, with Limestone finishing as the Class 3A state runner-up. Lamberti flirted with a triple-double in the state championship match with 16 kills, 14 assists and six digs against Mahomet-Seymour. The Bulldogs dropped the first set to Lamberti and Rockets, but rallied for a 22-25, 25-22, 25-18 victory.
Lamberti totaled 452 assists, 454 kills, 181 digs and 64 aces for Limestone as a sophomore. That effort helped her earn N-G All-State First Team recognition as one of the top 18 players, regardless of class, statewide. Lamberti was one of two sophomores named to the First Team along with Bloomington Central Catholic’s Kampbell Niepagen.