BYU women's volleyball announces 2026 signing class

The Cougars’ 2026 class features Kylie Buttars, Lauren Duncan, Brooke Hardy and Rachel Jepsen.

Author Cameron Muh
BYU women's volleyball announces 2026 signing classBYU women's volleyball announces 2026 signing class
Ashlee Jarvis/BYU Photo

PROVO, Utah — BYU women’s volleyball head coach Heather Olmstead has announced the signing of four student-athletes to join the program for the 2026 season.

"We’re incredibly excited about our 2026 recruiting class," Olmstead said. "This group brings a good mix of competitiveness, character, and talent that fits with the standard of excellence we strive for at BYU. Each of them adds something unique that will elevate our gym and push our program forward. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make on our team and the future of BYU volleyball.”

The Cougars’ 2026 recruiting class features outside hitter Kylie Buttars, setter Lauren Duncan, middle blocker Brooke Hardy and transfer middle blocker Rachel Jepsen.

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Kylie Buttars
FR | OH | 6-1 | Skyridge HS | Lehi, UT

  • 2025 AVCA All-America Third Team
  • 2025 Deseret News 6A Player of the Year
  • Two-time state runner-up (2023, 25)
  • Two-time 6A Region 3 champion (2023, 25)
  • Two-time first team all-state, all-region and all-valley (2023-24)
  • 2025 AVCA All-Region Team
  • 2025 6A Region 3 MVP
  • PrepVolleyball Top 150; PrepDig Utah Top 71, No. 2 (2025)
  • Club V Team – Top 5 in the nation, Open Division (2025)
  • Skyridge all-time kills leader (2025)
  • Single-season kills and ace leader (2024)
  • Mountain View Challenge all-tournament team (2024)
  • Deseret News Sports Award — Top 6 in Utah (2024)
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Lauren Duncan
FR | S | 5-9 | Brentwood HS | Brentwood, TN

  • 2025 AVCA All-Region
  • Two-time TWSA all-state team (2023-24)
  • Two-time TSSAA first team all-district (2023-24)
  • Two-time TSSAA first team all-tournament (2023-24)
  • Two-time TSSAA Region 5 all-tournament team (2023-24)
  • Two-time TSSAA Top Volleyball Player watch list (2023-24)
  • Capital Hill Best Setter (2025)
  • TVBCA All-Star (2025)
  • MaxPreps #1 in Tennessee (2024)
  • MaxPreps #7 nationally (2024)
  • Tennsseean's/Main Street Preps All-Mid State volleyball team (2024)
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Brooke Hardy
FR | MB | 6-0 | Fruitland HS | Fruitland, ID

  • Three-time Idaho state volleyball player of the year (2022-24)
  • Two-time Idaho state champion (2023, 2025)
  • Two-time Idaho state runner-up (2022, 2024)
  • Three-time Snake River Valley (SRV) district champion (2022, 2024-25)
  • Three-time SRV Conference Player of the Year (2022, 2024-25)
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Rachel Jepsen
RS SO | MB | 6-4 | Pitt/Olympus HS | Holladay, Utah

  • Recently returned from an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, France
  • Played two seasons at Pitt (2022-23) prior to her mission
  • Recorded 33 kills (1.5 per set) on a .429 hitting percentage in 22 sets across eight matches in 2023
  • Finished 2023 with 31 blocks (1.41 per set); had 21 blocks (1.24 per set) in 2022
  • Member of Pitt’s 2022 and 2023 NCAA Final Four teams
  • Three-time USA Volleyball National Team Development Program participant
  • Played for Club V (2020-21)