SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State's volleyball program and head coach Steven McRoberts received commitments from three high school standouts Friday.
 
"This is a class that will fill some needs on our 2026 roster," McRoberts said of his latest recruiting class. "They are a very competitive group that have all played on a high, open level on the club circuit."
 
Missouri State's newest commitments include:
Brielle Gengelbach • 6-2 • MB • Lee's Summit, Mo. • Blue Springs South High/MAVS 18-Elite
Halle Rillie • 5-11 • S • Santa Barbara, Calif. • Dos Pueblos High/Sports Academy
Avery Sands • 5-7 • DS/L • Leavenworth, Kan. • Lansing High/Dynasty Volleyball
 
Brielle Gengelbach • 6-2 • MB • Lee's Summit, Mo. • Blue Springs South High/MAVS 18-Elite
Gengelbach was a three-year starter for Blue Springs South, helping the Jaguars to district championships each season. She led the team in blocks as both a junior and senior, taking over the kill lead her senior year and earning all-conference honors both seasons. Her grandfather, Jeffery Fishburn, played football at Missouri State, and uncle, Jim Fishburn, played baseball for the Bears.
 
Coach McRoberts on Gengelbach:
"Brielle brings some much-needed size to our middle blocking unit. We are excited to have her join us next fall. She has a great blocking presence, and we also know that she will continue to grow on the offensive end as well."
 
 
Halle Rillie • 5-11 • S • Santa Barbara, Calif. • Dos Pueblos High/Sports Academy
Rillie was a three-year starter for the Dos Pueblos High Chargers, earning First Team All-Channel League honors her junior and senior seasons after an honorable nod her sophomore year. She comes from a family of basketball players, with her father, John, playing collegiately at Gonzaga and representing Australia in the 2004 Olympics. Brothers Jaron and Kael also played college basketball.
 
Coach McRoberts on Rillie:
"Halle is an uber-competitive and intelligent setter. She chose us because she wants to be coached by an Olympian in Lori Endicott-Vandersnick. I am excited to get Halle in this spring to immediately compete with our group. She has all the tools that you would want in a setter and it's going to be fun to see her growth over the next few years."
 
 
Avery Sands • 5-7 • DS/L • Leavenworth, Kan. • Lansing High/Dynasty Volleyball
Sands accumulated 1,077 kills and 861 digs during her four-year at Lansing High, earning first-team all-academic honors each year. She was a second-team all-conference pick as a sophomore, helping the Lions to a league title and state tournament appearance with 271 kills and 278 digs. As a junior, Sands was the United Kansas Conference Defensive Player of the Year with 251 digs in addition to 321 kills. She added offensive player of the year honors as a senior, piling up 403 kills on .267 hitting along with 307 digs for a club that finish fourth at the state meet.
 
Coach McRoberts on Sands:
"We are very excited to add Avery. She is a very confident, explosive athlete that will add some speed and consistency to our defensive specialist group. She also brings the ability to attack on the back row as well."