Boston College volleyball is adding six new pieces for the Fall of 2027, and head coach Jason Kennedy believes this group can change the look of the offense for years to come.
The Eagles announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, a class that includes three outside hitters, two right side attackers and a middle blocker. Kennedy said the group gives the program “a lot of firepower” and “some much-needed offensive options back into our program.”
He also pointed to the class’s edge.
“Three outside hitters, two right side attackers, and a middle will help bolster our offensive attack for years to come. I think my favorite thing about this class is how competitive they are. I anticipate they'll come in ready to work and up the competitive atmosphere in the gym from day one.”
The class stretches across the country and beyond, with signees from the West Coast, the Great Lakes region, Florida and Portugal.
Sophia Albaugh, an outside hitter from Jacksonville, Fla., comes to Chestnut Hill after a decorated run at The Bolles School. She plays club volleyball for OTVA Volleyball Club and has been a three-time USA Volleyball Team Florida High Performance All-Star.
Albaugh was the 2022 AAU 14U Premier National Champion, finished with 1,225 career kills for Bolles and ranks second all-time in school history. She also helped Bolles to a third-place finish in the National division at the 2026 Florida Gem High School Volleyball Tournament.
Albaugh was a three-time team MVP, a two-year captain, a two-time Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Player of the Year, and she is ranked No. 187 overall, No. 27 among outside hitters and No. 13 on PrepDig National Rankings.
Madelyn Conner, a right side/outside hitter from Seattle, Wash., arrives after starring at Seattle Preparatory School. She plays for Sudden Impact Volleyball Club and was voted team MVP in 2025-26 after helping her team finish third at the 2026 USAV Nationals in the USA Division.
Conner earned three First Team All-Metro selections, two First Team All-Region honors and one Honorable Mention All-State nod. She was a three-time Metro League champion, received a Max Prep Player of the Year nomination in 2026, and led the Metro League in blocks and hitting percentage in 2026.
Across the state of Washington, she ranked second in kills, seventh in total blocks and 14th in hitting percentage.
Gabriela Lopes, an outside hitter from Matosinhos, Portugal, plays for Sporting CP Volleyball and has already logged meaningful experience at the senior level. She appeared in 23 games for the Leixões Sport Club first team and has represented the Portuguese National Team at multiple levels.
Ruby Sampson, a middle blocker from Studio City, Calif., brings championship credentials from Harvard Westlake High School. She plays club volleyball for City Volleyball Club and was part of Harvard Westlake’s 2025 CIF Division I State Championship team. Sampson also finished third at the Girls Junior National Championship 15 Open in 2024.
Sophia Smith, a right side/outside hitter from Birmingham, Mich., joins from Marian High School and Legacy Volleyball Club. Her résumé includes a spot on the 2024 JVA Summerfest All-Tournament Team, 2024 Catholic High School All-League Honor Team, 2024 MIVCA All-Region honors and 2024 MIVCA All-State Third Team honors.
She also made the 2023 MIVCA All-Region Team and the 2023 Catholic High School Honor Team All League. Smith is ranked No. 69 overall, No. 18 among outside hitters and No. 5 in Michigan on PrepDig National Rankings.
Lauren Tisler, an outside hitter from De Pere, Wis., is the final member of the class.
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