Winning championships is always the top goal for any athletic program. However, when you go deep into the postseason, especially in volleyball, it can interfere with the staff’s ability to recruit. That’s a good problem to have when you’re bringing home hardware, and Texas A&M head coach Jamie Morrison is already getting work done in the NCAA transfer portal.

Needing to reload a roster that’s losing nine seniors, including four All-Americans and two future professional players, Coach Morrison received some major news on Tuesday. It was announced that former Boise State middle blocker Eliza Sharp has committed to Texas A&M. This gives A&M another young talent to develop and brings some elite production.

Originally, Coach Morrison had a five-year plan to reach a national title, which meant he understood that the roster he had now would be a crucial part of turning the Aggie volleyball program into a national powerhouse. With him now ahead of schedule by two years, it gives him a significant advantage in recruiting and positions Texas A&M for a quick turnaround to make another championship run in the near future.

Below is key information on the third commit joining the 2026 Texas A&M volleyball team.

Eliza Sharp – Middle Blocker

ST. CHARLES — St. Charles North volleyball coach Lindsey Hawkins made a point to sit down with Haley Burgdorf this summer and watch “The Last Dance.”

Burgdorf had already seen the 10-episode miniseries chronicling Michael Jordan’s career and final season with the Chicago Bulls, and Hawkins had shown her team clips from the documentary in the run-up to the IHSA playoffs last season. But the North Stars coach saw value in a rewatch heading into Burgdorf’s senior season.

“I specifically played the episode where (Jordan) starts talking about the team evolving and being able to rely more on Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman,” Hawkins said. “She’s a big Michael Jordan fan. She had seen it before, but I wanted her to specifically focus in on that episode and how he figured out he needed the team around him. She really embraced that, too. … She was like, ‘Yeah, I can see this and how important it is to get everybody else involved,’ because we would literally, last year, just set her all the time.”

Burgdorf was a one-woman wrecking crew in 2024. The 6-foot-1 outside hitter hammered home 611 kills in a 32-win season for St. Charles North.

Burgdorf was no less dominant for the North Stars this fall, but the team dynamic shifted. She didn’t have to do it all. Illinois State-bound Sidney Wright grew into a bigger role at middle blocker. Hawkins called senior outside hitter Amber Czerniak her “silent killer” and “unsung hero,” and future Valparaiso setter Mia McCall directed traffic in a more balanced attack.

But Burgdorf was still the centerpiece. Still St. Charles North’s go-to option. Still a nearly unstoppable force on the pin.

That’s why Burgdorf, who will enroll next month at Penn State and start training immediately with the Big Ten powerhouse, was named the 44th News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year. The catalyst for a 35-win team thanks to 435 kills, 198 digs and 52 aces for the North Stars.

“I knew that now we have a bunch of good players because everyone has improved so much from club season and back to high school,” Burgdorf said. “The pressure, really for me, was to lead this team to victories and do our absolute best. You have to lead everyone to believe they can do this. That was really my role this year because last year it was being able to dominate. This year it was, ‘Let’s have all the other pieces come together.’ That was our mindset the whole time.”

Burgdorf played a key role for St. Charles North as a freshman. It was her sophomore year, though, where she was thrust into a leadership role on the court with injuries to seniors Katherine Scherer, Jackie Ruder and Adrianna Huptych.

“Those three gave me a lot of advice on what to do and just be myself and just be confident in everyone and what they do,” Burgdorf said. “Coming into my junior year, I knew I had to fill that role but also be very dominant. Most of the pressure was on me my junior year being able to make everyone else on my team better and being there for them if they needed me. This year was more of a team thing.”

How much the North Stars leaned on Burgdorf early in her career helped mold her into the dominant outside hitter she became as an upperclassmen.

“She’s kind of been in this leadership position forever,” Hawkins said. “Her play, it shows how much the kids trust her and how much she trusts herself, too. It doesn’t matter if she’s got two blockers, three blockers, she trusts herself to find open court space. I’ve been coach at North for almost 18 years, and I have probably only seen two other kids (Plainfield North’s Ella Wrobel and Geneva’s Grace Loberg) dominate the way she does.”

Wrobel and Loberg both wound up in the Big Ten. Wrobel started her career at Wisconsin before transferring to Ohio State. Loberg helped Wisconsin win the 2021 NCAA title.

Burgdorf is also bound for the Big Ten. Penn State might have been later to her recruitment than other power conference teams, but all it took was a trip to State College, Pa., for a volleyball camp and ensuing scholarship offer to sell Burgdorf on the Nittany Lions.

“I fell in love with the campus when I got there,” Burgdorf said. “We all get that feeling, a sense of home, and that’s what Penn State felt like for me.”

Burgdorf will play for Katie Schumacher-Cawley at Penn State. The Nittany Lions coach, who guided the team to the 2024 NCAA title while beating breast cancer, starred at Mother McAuley in the mid-1990s and was the 1996 N-G All-State Player of the Year.

“Once we got her to camp, we really liked her and knew she would fit in — not just volleyball-wise,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “She’s such a hard worker and will definitely fit in with the culture of the program and add so much value. Even when the high school season was over, she was in the gym the next day. I was like, ‘Maybe you should take some time off,’ but she was like, ‘No, I love it.’ That’s what we need.

“She has the tools to compete, and it’s exciting that she’s going to come at semester. She’ll be able to get int he weight room with our strength coach and get herself prepared for fall and in the classroom as well getting to know campus and getting her feet wet with college courses.”

Burgdorf envisions herself as a six-rotation outside hitter at Penn State. That’s the goal. It’s why she honed her passing and defensive skills at Sports Performance Volleyball at the club level.

“I think the challenge I’m most excited for is being able to test my ability at another level because the Big Ten is considered one of the best leagues in NCAA volleyball,” Burgdorf said. “I’m excited to play out there and see what I’m capable of. I’m really excited to play against most of the best players in the world.”

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Penn State earned another commitment from the transfer portal.

Ryla Jones has transferred to the Nittany Lions. 

Jones is staying in the Keystone State, coming over from Pitt, where she was in the final four.

The Oxon Hill, Maryland, native tallied nine kills on a .400 hitting percentage, with nine total blocks against Penn State. 

Jones will play between Kennedy Martin and Emmi Sellman next season and could be a part of a lethal front-court trio.

MORE VOLLEYBALL COVERAGE

Izzy Starck has found a new home.

Colton Cohen, a Bonners Ferry High School runner, has committed to Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, where he will compete in cross country and track at the NAIA level. 

Though many athletes train for most of their lives in their sport, Cohen began running track and field in the spring of 2024, less than two years ago. 

“I started running my sophomore year for track,” Cohen said. “I just wanted a sport to do.” 

He explained what he enjoys most about running. 

“When you hit that PR, or you get that certain place in a race, especially when you aren’t exactly sure it’s going to happen, it’s such a great feeling to experience and I want to experience it over and over again,” Cohen said. “That’s just one of my big motivations for running.” 

Cohen said the running program at Missouri Valley College is on the rise and added that the opportunity still feels unreal. 

“They’re just working on building their program up, trying to develop into a team that really can compete with the others in the conference,” Cohen said. 

Cohen said he plans to study exercise science with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. 

“My big dream would be to be a trainer in the NBA or for professional track athletes,” Cohen said. “That would be amazing.” 

Two years ago, Cohen said he had no idea he would be on the path he is currently following. 

“I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to study,” Cohen said. “I didn’t expect to be able to go to college to run.” 

During this past cross-country season, Cohen suffered compression fractures in both hips, which limited his training and cut his season short. 

“It happened late August and I got X-rays and an MRI in September,” Cohen said. “They told me it’s a three-to-six-month recovery, so I’ve just been cross-training. I’m hoping I’ll be back by February so I can start running before practices start.” 

“I’ve got a high standard for myself and what I want to do,” Cohen said. “The main focus with me and my coach is just getting me back and healthy.” 

The injury came just months before the traditional signing period for high school athletes, making the setback especially difficult. 

“After I got injured in the beginning of the cross country season, it felt like the end of the world,” Cohen said. “I was looking forward to being a staple and helping support my team and helping us do the best we could this season.” 

Cohen said the running community has been a major source of support since he began competing, including runners from Timberlake, who are his on-field rivals. 

“Most of the runners you meet, they’re some of the nicest people and are very supportive,” Cohen said. “We’re competitive out on the field, but then afterwards, it’s like family.” 

Cohen also shared advice for younger athletes. 

“You’ve got to believe in yourself and what you can do,” Cohen said. “No matter what happens, if you don’t run the time you want, if you don’t get the place you want, it’s all a part of the journey.”

“There’s always going to be someone with something negative to say about you,” he said. “If you take that to heart, then you’ve already let them win. Don’t let those people win.” 

He credited his family and supporters for helping him reach this point. 

“I’d have to really just thank my family — my mom, my dad and my little brother — they’re my biggest supporters,” Cohen said. “Through all the struggles, they’ve helped me and been there to support me. They’re really happy that I found something I’m this dedicated to and are excited to see what I do next.” 

“I want to thank everyone that supported me,” Cohen said. “I appreciate all of the people that have believed in me and helped me get to the point where I am today.” 

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to revisit some of the stories that resonated most across Vestavia Hills. These aren’t just top clicks or biggest headlines — they’re pieces that captured something real about the people, places and moments that defined the year.

Ethan Strand is the talk of the U.S. track and field scene this year — and he shows no signs of slowing down.

The Vestavia Hills native and University of North Carolina standout shattered the NCAA indoor mile record at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic on Feb. 1, clocking 3 minutes, 48.32 seconds. In doing so, he became the first NCAA runner to break the 3:50 barrier indoors, surpassing the previous record of 3:50.39 set by Cooper Teare in 2021.

His performance now ranks among the fastest indoor miles in world history. As if it wasn’t clear before, when Strand set an NCAA mark in the 3,000 meters, it became undeniable — a new superstar is on the rise in U.S. track.

A CHAMPION’S BEGINNINGS

At Vestavia Hills High School, Strand was a two-time Alabama Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year, winning multiple championships and setting numerous records.

As a junior, he won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races at the Class 7A state outdoor meet while anchoring the 4×800 relay team to a second-place finish. In the 800 meters, he clocked a personal-best 1:54.52 to win the state title, contributing to a runner-up team finish. That same year, he ran a blistering 4:11 mile at the Music City Distance Carnival, making him one of the nation’s top high school milers.

That drive continued into college, where he rapidly evolved into one of the most versatile distance runners in the country. His ability to compete across multiple events — 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, and now the mile — has made him a major force in NCAA track and field.

A DEFINING PERFORMANCE

Strand’s record-breaking run at the Terrier Classic wasn’t just another race — it was a statement. Competing against a mix of elite collegiate and professional athletes, he demonstrated not only speed but also tactical intelligence beyond his years.

“I checked the clock with two laps to go and thought, ‘OK, if I close well, I’m going to run really fast,’” Strand recalled on Carolina Insider.

The race started at a blistering pace, with the leaders passing the 800-meter mark in 1:53. Strand stayed patient, moving up strategically. With two laps remaining, he was in third behind Robert Farken of On Athletics Club and Adam Fogg of Under Armour Baltimore Distance. As the final bell rang, he surged ahead, breaking away down the backstretch and crossing the finish line with arms outstretched in celebration.

“I didn’t quite know what today was going to be,” Strand told reporters after the race. “I just wanted to get a qualifier in for nationals, but to come out and run that was pretty cool.”

RIVALRY FUELS GREATNESS

A major factor in Strand’s rapid rise has been his rivalry-turned-partnership with North Carolina teammate Parker Wolfe. The two have pushed each other in training and competition, creating an environment where each runner continues to elevate his performance.

“When Parker and I are on the track and it’s just the two of us, we’re very competitive,” Strand said on Carolina Insider. “We absolutely treat each other as competitors, but when it comes down to it, we’re trying to beat everyone else first. And if it’s just the two of us left at the end, then yeah, we’re going to go at it.”

Their duel for the NCAA 3,000-meter record was a prime example. Both runners shattered the previous collegiate best, with Strand edging Wolfe in an epic final lap.

“I took a step up in fitness coming into the fall, and I think that showed in the 3K with Parker,” Strand said. “We ran six seconds faster than any collegian ever has.”

UNC head coach Chris Miltenberg believes the two are more than just standout collegiate athletes.

“Every day, I think I’m looking at the next two great American distance runners — Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe,” Miltenberg said. “These guys are not just NCAA stars. They are the future of U.S. distance running.”

A STAR AMONG PROS

Strand’s rising stardom was on full display when he was honored at a North Carolina basketball game following his record-breaking run. As he walked onto the court at the Dean Smith Center, he received a roaring ovation from thousands of Tar Heel fans — proof that his accomplishments are being recognized far beyond the track.

His breakthrough mile also made waves beyond the NCAA ranks, catching the attention of professional runners. His time placed him third on the all-time indoor mile list at the time, but it didn’t take long for the pros to respond. Shortly after, Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen set a new world-best mark, demonstrating how Strand’s emergence is helping push the entire sport forward.

His rapid rise raises intriguing questions about what comes next. With two NCAA records under his belt, he faces a crucial decision about how to structure the remainder of his collegiate career and his approach to the NCAA Championships.

“This opens up so many more opportunities,” Strand said. “After the 1,500 last year, I was ninth in the Olympic Trials final. That made me think maybe I need to take a step up and focus on different events. And now, the mile is in play. I don’t really know yet, but whatever combination helps us score the most points, that’s what I’ll do.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

As a senior, Strand is entering the final stretch of his collegiate career, with major championships on the horizon. The NCAA indoor championships, set for March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will be his next big test. Then comes the outdoor season, culminating in the NCAA outdoor championships from June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.

For now, Strand remains focused on the present. The NCAA championships loom, offering another chance to prove himself against the best in collegiate running. Beyond that, the transition to professional running seems inevitable, with U.S. Olympic team aspirations likely forming in the back of his mind.

“When you finish a race and do better than you ever have, it’s a feeling you can’t beat,” Strand said. “The only way to get that feeling again is to do it again.”

Strand credits his time at UNC and the guidance of Miltenberg with helping him see his future beyond college.

“He told me, ‘We’re going to get you here, you’re going to run really fast, and we’re going to set you up for the next seven or eight years after college.’ That’s why I came here,” Strand said.

From Vestavia Hills to Chapel Hill and beyond, Strand’s journey is just beginning.