Duquesne Volleyball Lands Six-Player Recruiting Class for 2026

Duquesne volleyball just locked in its future, and the pieces are lining up nicely around a roster that already has serious firepower.

The New Class Head coach Steve Opperman announced six additions for the 2026 season — five freshmen and one transfer. Delaney McIntosh, Simone Searles, Keely McMahon-Regan, Charlotte Arrington, Londyn Stone, and Maddie Bush all join the Red and Blue, bringing a mix of championship pedigree and depth to a program that's clearly building toward something bigger.

McIntosh, a Madison, Wisconsin native, arrives via Colorado as the group's lone transfer, adding experience to a young but talented incoming class.

Why the Timing Matters This isn't a rebuild — it's a reload. Duquesne returns nine players from last season, including four starters and one of the best sophomore campaigns in program history. That continuity is exactly why this recruiting class hits different: these newcomers aren't walking into a void, they're stepping into a program with real momentum.

The Star Already on the Roster Any conversation about Duquesne volleyball starts with Emersen Schrom. The Atlantic 10 First Team selection ranked 10th nationally in total points (604.5) and 20th in NCAA Division I in points per set (5.04). She became the first player in program history to win A-10 Player of the Week four times in a single season and obliterated the school's single-season kills record with 532. That's not just a good year — that's a program-defining season, and she's got at least one more year left.

The Supporting Cast Schrom won't be doing it alone. Setter Chloe Wilmot ranked eighth nationally with 1,277 assists and became just the eighth player in Duquesne history to top 2,500 career assists. Middle blocker Jordan Robertson anchored the defense with 1.12 blocks per set (fifth in the A-10) while also hitting .332, third-best in the conference.

What It Means Going Forward With Schrom, Wilmot, and Robertson all back, plus a six-player class that adds fresh legs and transfer experience, Duquesne is positioning itself as a legitimate Atlantic 10 contender heading into 2026. Programs don't often get to pair this level of individual production with this much incoming depth at the same time — and that combination is exactly why this offseason move matters more than a typical roster update.