Crosson, Hoecke and Kraft are set to join Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS – The Golden Gophers volleyball team has announced the additions of three new members of the team for the 2026 season.
Outside hitter Makenna Crosson (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), middle blocker Elena Hoecke (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial H.S.) and libero/defensive specialist Madi Kraft (Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S.) have all signed on to be Golden Gophers. They each plan on enrolling during the spring 2026 semester starting in January.
The 2026 group is lauded as a top-15 ranked class in the country, according to multiple recruiting outlets.
"This is a class that provides great depth and impact, the 2026 recruiting class will join us in January of 2026," said head coach Keegan Cook. "Their competitive character and passion to learn stands out alongside their many accomplishments. We're eager to get them into the gym and thankful for their commitment to start their journeys this winter."
(L-R): Hoecke, Kraft and Crosson on their visit last fall. Outside Hitter Makenna Crosson (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty H.S./Vision Volleyball Club)
A 6'3" outside hitter, Crosson heads to the Midwest after completing a stellar high school career in California. Crosson was named a MaxPreps All-American as a sophomore in 2023 and earned a MaxPreps Player of the Year Watch List nod in 2025. A two-time WCAL Second Team All-League honoree, Crosson was named the WCAL Player of the Year as a senior.
Crosson committed to Minnesota as a junior in high school
As a sophomore, Crosson blasted 310 kills (.370 hitting) with 150 digs, 35 blocks and 35 aces while passing a 2.1. She missed most of her junior season due to injury, but as a senior has posted 430 kills (.370 hitting), 35 aces and 22 blocks while passing a 2.5. At the time of her signing, Crosson's team still has to play in the section and state tournaments, so her statistics for this season are not yet complete.
Ranked as the No. 35 player in the nation for the 2026 class by PrepDig.com, Crosson comes in as the No. 11 player in California and the No. 5 outside hitter. PrepVolleyball.com has Crossen listed as the No. 25 player in America.
"Makenna's length, skill and competitive composure will immediately catch your attention," said Cook. "A true receiving outside hitter, Makenna has developed into one of the top all around outside hitters in California. Her volleyball knowledge and her passion to learn are two of her greatest intangible strengths."
On the AAU circuit, Crosson competed for Visionary Volleyball Club, where she helped the team to a 2022 Silver Medalist finish in the USVA GJNC 14 USA division.
Crosson competing in club for Vision Volleyball
Academically, she is a three-time Dean's List honoree and a two-time President's List selection. Crosson is also on her school's Honor Roll. She plans on majoring in biomedical engineering at Minnesota.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because of the competitive culture the team and coaching staff have been building. It also felt like a second home when I came to campus on my official visit and I am pretty close with a bunch of girls on the team."
Personal: The daughter of Courtney and Sam Crosson, she also has a younger sister, Logan. Both of her parents played collegiately at the University of the Pacific. Her father, Sam, is currently the head indoor and beach volleyball coach at West Valley Junior College. Previously, he served for four seasons as the head coach at the University of California-Berkeley.
Goals: "I want to win a national championship and help get the program there. Personally, I want to become an All-American or freshman of the year but I know I need to work hard to get there."
Middle Blocker Elena Hoecke (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial H.S./MN Select Volleyball Club)
The 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of Lino Lakes, Minn., comes to the Gophers after a decorated prep career. A five-time varsity player at Centennial High School, Hoecke was named a 2026 Under Armour All-American, the 2025 Minnesota Ms. Baden Award winner and the 2025 Star Tribune Volleyball Player of the Year. The two-time All-State selection was named to the 2025 AAAA State All-Tournament Team.
Hoecke led Centennial H.S. to multiple state tournament appearances
A three-time team captain at Centennial, Hoecke was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class in Minnesota according to PrepDig.com (No. 14 player nationally). PrepVolleyball.com has her as the No. 16 ranked player in America. Hoecke was named to the AVCA High School Player of the Year watch list and the 2025 Best & Brightest First Team. Hoecke earned 2025 Breakdown Pre-Season Player of the Year honors and was named the 2025 AVCA Region 7 Player of the Year.
As both a senior and freshman in high school, Hoecke helped Centennial to the State Consolation Championships. A four-time all-conference selection, the three-time team captain posted 1,389 career kills, 685 digs, 383 blocks, 200 aces and a .313 hitting percentage. As a senior, she hit .412 with 338 kills, 189 digs, 103 blocks and 37 aces. As a junior, she hit .324 with 368 kills, 255 digs, 69 blocks and 45 aces. Hoecke posted over 140 kills in each of her five varsity seasons.
"Elena's blocking eye work, ability to attack off one foot and her physical effort in transition will stand out immediately," said Cook. "Her international experiences with the USA National Team Programs have accelerated her growth. Her inner drive, ability to communicate at a high level and durability are just some of her intangible strengths as an athlete."
On the club circuit, Hoecke played for MN Select, where she helped the team to the 2025 USAV Nationals. A U-17 National All-Tournament Team selection, Hoecke's club placed second in the national division. She was named a 2025 PrepVolleyball 17U Second Team All-American Second Team last summer and a 2024 AAU Nationals All-American as a junior. In 2023 in the 16-Open Division, her team placed third overall. Hoecke also earned JVA All National Team honors from 2023-25.
She has experience playing in the USA gym as well, competing as a U19 National Team Player for U21 World Championships last summer. She played for the 2024 USA U-19 National Team and won a gold medal at the NORCECCA Girls' U19 Continental Championship. She's competed in the USA National Team Development Program since 2022.
Hoecke on her visit to MinnesotaWhy Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because of the winning history and the amazing culture. I want to play at the highest level and this program gives me the opportunity to do so. I know my coaches and teammates are going to push me to become the best volleyball player and person I can be. Minnesota has a great winning history, and I want to help continue that legacy. Being from Minnesota, I grew up going to Gopher volleyball games, and I cannot wait to play in front of my home crowd at the Pav!"
Personal: The daughter of Heather and Kyle Hoecke, she also has an older sister, Elise. Her mom graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and her dad graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the 'U' with an MBA. A four-time academic letter winner and a National Honor Society member, Hoecke plans on majoring in kinesiology at Minnesota.
Goals: "My goal is to play a key role on the team and to be an All-American. I will do whatever it takes to help the team win a Big Ten Championship along with Minnesota's first National Championship."
Libero/Defensive Specialist Madi Kraft (Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S./Northern Lights Volleyball Club)
Kraft comes in as a libero/defensive specialist from Eagan, Minn. A four-time South Suburban All-Conference selection, Kraft was twice named to the Minnesota Class AAAA All-State team in addition to being named a Ms. Baden Finalist in 2025.
Kraft playing at Eagan High School last year
A two-time Star Tribune All-Minnesota Team honoree, Kraft led Eagan High School to the 2022 South Suburban Conference title. Four times she was named her school's Defensive Player of the Year and she holds Eagan's program record for most career digs. She ranks as the No. 8 player in Minnesota, including the second ranked libero, according to PrepDig.com.
"Madi's poise, determination and vocal leadership are easy to observe," said coach Cook. "Over the course of her high school and club career, Madi established herself as one of the top liberos in the state of Minnesota. Her toughness and love of competition are just two of the reasons we are looking forward to getting her into the gym this winter." Kraft on her visit to Minnesota last fall
In her prep career, Kraft registered 1,788 digs in 115 matches played, also tallying 150 aces. This fall, she contributed 350 digs, 50 aces and passed a 2.2. As a junior, she led the team with 509 digs and 31 aces, passing a 2.1. She posted a career-best 596 digs in 2023 with 32 aces. As a true freshman, Kraft went for 333 digs and 37 aces, helping her team to the conference crown.
On the club circuit for Northern Lights, Kraft helped her 17-1's team to a first place finish at the Junior National Tournament last year in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, she earned an AAU All-American nod in the 16-1's division. Kraft led her team to a third place finish in the National Division in 2022 at the US Junior National Championships for her 14-1's team.
Why Minnesota: "I have been following the Gophers volleyball program since I was little and it is home to me. I love the environment, the coaches, the staff and the players on the team. They also have a great academic support program for the student-athletes. I also want to compete in the Big Ten Conference.
Personal: The daughter of Tami and Chad Kraft, she has two younger brothers, Jaxon and Colton. Chad wrestled at the University of Minnesota from 1994-99 and was the first four-time All-American in Gopher sports history. Tami played volleyball collegiately at Willmar Community College. Academically, she is a four-time Honor Roll student and a member of Eagan High School's National Honor Society. Kraft is a four-time Academic All-State honoree. She's currently undecided on what her major at Minnesota will be.
Goals: "To be disciplined and reliable, bringing a positive attitude to practices and games. I want to focus on the team's success."
