Volleyball Inks Program's Highest-Rated Recruiting Class on National Signing Day

DALLAS (SMU) – Head coach Sam Erger announced two new Mustangs on Wednesday's National Signing Day. PrepDig.com ranks the class 11th nationally, the highest-ranked high school recruiting class in program history.

The Mustangs recruiting class features two highly touted attackers, Brynn Stephens and Caroline Ward. The duo combined for 2,443 kills in their high school careers.

"I'm so excited to welcome this class to the family and have them here in January to get to work," said Head Coach Sam Erger. "These are two electric athletes that have played high-level volleyball and are used to contributing in all areas of their teams. We've been counting down the days until they are in our gym!"

More information on each signee in the class can be found below:

Brynn Stephens | Outside Hitter | 6-3 | Prosper, Texas | Walnut Grove HS | Texas Advantage
• Ranked as the 8th overall player in the class, second in the state of Texas and first at her position by PrepDig.com
• 2026 NORCECA Volleyball Championship (Gold Medalists)
• USA Volleyball U19 National Team (2026)
• Under Armour All-American – Class of 2027 and Under Armour Next Camp MVP (2026)
• 4x PrepVolleyball First Team All-American (2023 - 2026)
• A part of the USAV Girls Junior Nationals Open-Level Winningest Team of all-time (449-31 record)
• 10x USA Volleyball National Training Development Program (NTDP) attendee
• 2x USAV Girls Junior National Championship (GJNC)
• 5x Triple Crown National Invitational Tournament (NIT), Elite Division All-Tournament Team (2023 - 2026)
• 2026 Summer National Invitational Tournament (NIT) Champion
• 2023 USA Volleyball 15U All-Star Champion (2023)
• 4x Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) All-National Team (2023 - 2026)
• Daughter of Mike and Kathie Stephens
• Plans to attend the Cox School of Business and major in Business Management

Caroline Ward | Opposite Hitter | 6-0 | Lizton, Indiana | Tri-West HS | Circle City
• Ranked as the 39th overall player in the class, second in the state of Indiana and first at her position by PrepDig.com
• 2026 Class 3A State Indiana Champions and District MVP
• 2025 AVCA All-American
• 2x First Team All-State and 2x Second Team All-State
• 3x First Team All-Conference and 1x Second Team All-Conference at Tri-West HS
• 2x Junior Volleyball Association (JVC) All-National Team
• Daughter of Jason and Torri Ward
• Plans to major in Business at SMU

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