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Volleyball Welcomes Five Signees on National Signing DayVolleyball Welcomes Five Signees on National Signing Day

Volleyball Welcomes Five Signees on National Signing Day

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern volleyball announced the addition of five signees this week as part of National Signing Day. Head coach Tim Nollan will welcome three hitters, a middle blocker and a libero as first-years in the fall of 2027.

“I am extremely excited to welcome the 2027 class to Northwestern. We have found five elite student-athletes with drive, commitment, hunger and tenacity that embody what Northwestern volleyball is.”

Tim NollanHead Volleyball Coach
MAKENNA BARNES

MAKENNA BARNES

OH/OPP • Los Angeles, Calif. • Marymount

High School: PrepDig’s No. 38 player nationally… four-year varsity player and senior year captain at Marymount… recorded 278 kills (3.2 per set) and 46 blocks as a sophomore, finishing second on the team in total kills… tallied 365 kills to lead the team as a junior, reaching double-digit kills in 15 matches to help Marymount to a No. 14 national ranking… averaging 4.0 kills per set in 2026 to lead the Sailors… selected to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Team in 2024 and the All-American First Team in 2025… named to the AVCA Girls High School All-Region Team in 2025… earned an invite to the 2026 USA Volleyball NTDP Summer Training Series… named to the AVCA Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List… played club volleyball with SC Rockstar… finished eighth at Nationals two years in a row before finishing second last year.

Nollan on Barnes: Makenna is a dominant pin that can play both left and right. She has elite velocity and a jump serve that gives her the ability to score points in bunches. She comes from powerhouse high school and club programs where she has consistently competed for championships; she knows what the big stage is like. Makenna looks to make a huge impact on this program.

"Northwestern is not only a place of academic excellence, but also one of athletic drive and ambition. The program has the foundation and community to build something it has yet to accomplish, and I would love to be part of that growth while developing not only as an athlete, but also as a student and individual. Its commitment to both academic support and athletic excellence makes Northwestern an opportunity I am excited to pursue."

Makenna Barnes
STELLA DELGADILLO

STELLA DELGADILLO

MB • Solana Beach, Calif. • Torrey Pines

High School: Three-year varsity player at Torrey Pines, where she captained the team as a senior… hit .485 as a senior with 166 kills, 34 aces and 42 blocks… led the team to four Coastal League Championships along with CIF San Diego Section Open Division Championships in 2025 and 2026… CIF Sportsmanship Award recipient in 2025 and 2026… 2026 Second-Team All-Coastal League… four-time NTDP participant… Under Armour Next participant… also earned a CIF San Diego Section Open Division Championship in beach volleyball as a blocker in 2026… eight years of club volleyball with WAVE Volleyball… 2023 14U National Champions… ranked as a top-five team in the country for three years in a row… 2026 Windy City Champions and Triple Crown Division 1 Champions… finished ninth or better  in the nation at USAVGJNC each of the last three years… SCVA Region Champions in 2024 and 2025.

Nollan on Delgadillo: Stella is a quick middle out of San Diego. She’s dynamic, especially off of one foot, has a fast arm, and can score. Playing for an elite club makes her no stranger to competing for championships. I can’t wait to get her on campus.

"Northwestern is the complete all-around package. My dream is to compete in the best conference in the country while getting the best education possible, and at Northwestern, it is all completely achievable, which makes this institution a no-brainer of a choice."

Stella Delgadillo
ADDIE KNAPKE

ADDIE KNAPKE

L • Galena, Ohio • Olentangy Berlin

High School: Four-year varsity player at Olentangy Berlin, named captain for junior and senior years… led the Bears to the State Final Four and Conference Championships as a sophomore… went back-to-back as District Champions her junior and senior seasons… four-time All-League selection, including First-Team honors her junior and senior seasons… named both League and District Player of the Year in 2026… also in 2026, earned First-Team All-Ohio along with AVCA All-Region honors… reached six digs per set nine times her senior season… recorded both a 10-ace and an 18-kill match in 2026… earned selection to All-District and State All Star Games… played eight years of club ball with Mintonette Sports… named to the 2024 USAV All-Tournament Team and the 2026 USAV GJNC All-Tournament Team… earned UA Next Camp MVP in 2026.

Nollan on Knapke: Addie is a stud! She played for an elite club out of Ohio, where she was asked to pass half the court. She can defend, she can set out of system, and she has a great serve. Addie has all the tools that a libero in the Big Ten needs. She can make an immediate impact in the ball control department for us.

"I chose Northwestern because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my goals at the highest level, both as a student-athlete and as a person. The combination of elite academics, Big Ten volleyball, and a culture that pushes me to be my best made it the perfect fit. The coaches and team played a huge role in my decision as well. From the beginning, they made me feel welcomed, valued, and confident that Northwestern was a place where I could grow, compete, and build lifelong relationships."

Addie Knapke
MIRANDA KNOLL

MIRANDA KNOLL

OH/OPP • Jupiter, Fla. • The King’s Academy

High School: Captained her high school team for three seasons, leading them to a State Championship… two-time MVP of her team… averaged 30 points per game… finished with more than 1,000 career kills… two-time Second-Team All-County selection… AAU All-American… six-year player at Tribe Volleyball.

Nollan on Knoll: Miranda is a versatile attacking pin who can score from both the left and the right. She has grit and a passion for defense. I know she is going to be a fan favorite with her effort plays, not to mention her top-spin serve. She has the ability to go on big point runs and I can’t wait to get her in the gym playing for the ‘Cats.

"I chose Northwestern because of the team culture and the amazing coaching staff. Alongside those reasons, Northwestern is also a phenomenal academic school that competes in the Big Ten."

Miranda Knoll
ISABELLA STOJKOVIC

ISABELLA STOJKOVIC

OH • Gilbert, Ariz. • Highland

High School: Four-year varsity player and three-year captain at Highland… averaged 4.1 kills and 2.5 digs per set her senior season… reached 1,000 career kills… led the Hawks to 6A Fiesta Region Championships in 2025 and 2026… named the 6A Fiesta Offensive Player of the Year in 2025… two-time All-Conference First Team selection in 2025 and 2026… PrepVolleyball 16U Outside Hitter Mid-Season Standout in 2025… 2024 Westwood Tournament of Champions All-Tournament MVP and All-Region First Team selection… Salt Lake City Showdown Showcase Top Performer in 2024… 2025 Under Armour Camp Invitee in Kansas City… USA Volleyball 2022 All-Star Champion… USA Volleyball 2024 All-Star Championship All-Tournament Team and MVP… seven years of club volleyball with Revolution 17 Premier… helped the team to MLK 17/18 Open Championship and a 13th-place finish at the USAV Girls Junior National Championship in the 17 Open Division.

Nollan on Stojkovic: Izzy comes to us from Arizona but has ties to Chicagoland. She is a left-side hitter with a full set of tools to help her score. She moves the ball around extremely well and sees openings in the opponent’s defense. She is a natural leader on her teams and she absolutely understands what Northwestern is all about.

"I chose Northwestern because it felt like the perfect place to grow both on and off the court while being able to leave my mark. I am excited for the opportunity to compete at the highest level of volleyball, be surrounded by teammates who push me to be better, have an incredible coaching staff, and represent a program that I can truly be proud of and thrive in. Beyond volleyball, I love that Northwestern will challenge me academically, provide me with the resources and support system to succeed, open doors for my future, and allow me to grow into the person I want to become."

Isabella Stojkovic