PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's volleyball coach, Meredith Schamun, has announced her program's Class of 2027 recruiting class. Elsa McDermott, Bella Rittenberg, Zada Sanger and Lauren Van Wie will join the program next fall as freshmen.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to our roster," said Coach Schamun. "Elsa, Bella, Zada and Lauren will contribute greatly to our team's current depth, and I'm really excited for the future of the program as we add new pieces. Bella and Zada bring a wealth of experience hitting on both pins and have both played at a high level the last few years. Elsa and Lauren will strengthen our first touch in passing and defense, allowing us to run a solid offense and successfully defend behind the block. We look forward to them joining our team this August!"
 
Meet the Penn volleyball Class of 2027…
 
ELSA McDERMOTT
5-7 | DS/Libero
Portland, Ore. | Catlin Gabel School (Oregon Juniors)
High School: Four-year varsity player, three-year varsity captain in volleyball under head coach Jeannette Lee … Three-time Lewis and Clark League champions (2019, 2020, 2021) … First-team all-state in 2021 … Three-time first-team all-league (2020, 2021, 2022) … With Oregon Juniors, 2021 16U Ceva Regional champions and Club Team OJVA 16-1 Gold … Also lettered three times in tennis at Catlin Gabel … 2022 Oregon Tennis State Champions (4A/3A/2A/1A), Lewis and Clark League and district champions.
 
Personal: Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the rigorous academics, and the joy within the volleyball culture."
 
BELLA RITTENBERG
5-11 | Right Side
Fallbrook, Calif. | Chaparral (Coast Volleyball)
High School: Four-year letter winner in volleyball, served as a team captain under head coach Gale Johnson … Record more than 1,000 kills and 1,500 digs during her HS career … Helped Chaparral win Dave Mohs D2 Tournament, Grand Terrance Classic, and Queens Court … Tournament MVP at Grand Terrace Classic … All-tournament and Team MVP at Dave Mohs … Two-time PrepVolleyball 2023 Top 150 selection … First-team all-conference as a senior, second-team all-conference as a freshman … Inland Empire High School Athlete of the Week (8/22/22) … Scholar Athlete … Has played with Coast Volleyball since 2019 … 2022 AAU Open National Championships 18U Bronze … 2022 GJNC Open National Championships 17U Bronze … Gold Medal at the 2019 Las Vegas Classic (15 Open) … Silver Medal 2019 National Junior Olympic Championship in Indianapolis (All Tournament Team) … Honor Roll student … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Will enroll in the University's School of Nursing.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of its historical background as well as its top-tier education. But the reason I was convinced Penn was right for me is because of the school's culture and the caliber of the people whom I've already met."
 
ZADA SANGER
6-1 | Outside Hitter
Berkeley, Calif. | Berkeley (Absolute)
High School: Three-year letter winner in volleyball; no letter as a sophomore due to the COVID-19 shutdown … Coaches were Em Huang and Alison West … 2022 West Alameda County Conference (WACC) MVP … Two-time first-team WACC All-League … AP Scholar with Distinction … Wrote for the Jacket Newspaper.
 
Personal: Both parents are Penn grads, mother was a middle hitter for the Quakers' volleyball team … Will enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the perfect mix of a rigorous academic environment and competitive athletics atmosphere. I look forward to being challenged intellectually and athletically, growing into the best possible person and player I can be. I can't wait to be a part of this team of such incredible people and help contribute to this program."
 
LAUREN VAN WIE
5-6 | DS/Libero
Peachtree Corners, Ga. | Wesleyan School (AS Mizuno)
High School: Four-year letter winner and team captain under head coach Ted Russell … AVCA All-America Honorable Mention … Georgia 7AAA Region Player of the Year … Two-time first-team all-state … Two-time first-team all-county … Three-time first-team All-Region … Broke the Wesleyan School career record for digs (1,868) and finished fifth in service aces … Played club volleyball for A5 Mizuno in Atlanta from 2019-23) … Team captain for the 2021 USAV GJNC 16-USA National Championship team … Also named AAU Academic All-American (2022) and AVCA Phenom Watch List (2021 & 2022) … National Honor Society member including Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, and English Honor Society … High Honors all four years of high school … High school peer leader and school ambassador … Active in local National Charity League chapter and Omicron Service Society.
 
Personal: Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of its balance of athletics and academic rigor. In addition, the coaches and players the Penn community has brought into my life thus far have truly made me feel at home."