IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa volleyball signed three standouts to its 2025 class, head coach Jim Barnes announced on Wednesday.
Outside hitter Gia McGrew, along with middle hitters Makena Rumple and Peyton Young, make up the 2025 signing class.
“Our 2025 freshman class will fill important positions on our team,” Barnes said. “This group has competed at the highest level of USA club volleyball, which will help them adjust to Big Ten play. The class brings great athleticism, elite offensive skills and a work ethic and attitude that reflects what we are building at Iowa.”
GET TO KNOW THE SIGNEES
Gia McGrew
Outside Hitter | Gainesville, FL | Santa Fe
- 2024 AAU Nationals Premier Division National Champion
- MVP of the 2024 AAU Nationals Premier Division
- USA Volleyball National Team Development Program invitee in 2021
- USA Girls Junior National Championship All-Tournament Team in 2021
- Competed for the Oklahoma Charge and Gainesville Juniors.
- 2023 Chisholm Trail Conference MVP; First-team all-conference in 2023
- Team captain as a senior in 2024; team MVP as a junior is 2023
- Oklahoma 5A State Champion in 2022
- Finished senior season with 322 kills
- Two-time Speech & Debate State Champion (2022-23)
- 2019-2023 High Performance All-Stars
- Team Florida & Oklahoma Region
Associate Head Coach Brian Yale on McGrew: “I anticipate that Gia will quickly become a fan favorite. She plays the game with such a passion and infectious competitive drive. Her raw power and physicality will be a welcome addition to the gym come January. As a person and teammate, Gia is mature and respectful beyond her years. She comes from a strong, athletic family background. Gia is a leader in both words and actions and I expect her to continue to be just that with our team from day one.”
Makena Rumple
Middle Hitter | Mesa, AZ | Mesa
- Three-time USA Volleyball Open National Champion
- USA Volleyball 15 Open National runner-up; all-tournament team selection
- Competed on the Arizona Storm Elite club team
- First-team all-state selection as a junior; honorable mention as a freshman
- Two-time regional player of the year
- Tallied 1,268 kills, 238 blocks and a .340 hitting percentage in her career
- Team captain as a junior and senior
- Played four years of sand volleyball
- Conference champion as a senior
- Sand volleyball sectional offensive player of the year as a sophomore
- National Honor Society member
Coach Yale on Rumple: “Makena is a hardworking, focused winner who loves to play the game. That’s what comes to mind first. Makena played a consistent role for years on a successful team that was full of Big Ten talent. Her aggressive blocking style and ability to go off one foot as an attacker is what ultimately drew our staff to her. We look forward to her coming in and filling that same steady, ‘glue-type’ role for this team as well.”
Peyton Young
Middle Hitter | Hoffman, IL | Hoffman Estates
- Three-year varsity letterwinner
- Team captain and MVP as a junior and senior
- Regional champion in 2023
- Competed for the Sky High Volleyball club team
Coach Yale on Young: “Peyton is an exciting athlete with a huge upside to her game. Her speed and quickness at the net are what will allow her to make big strides once she arrives on campus. Peyton is a great fit for the future of Iowa Volleyball, and we are looking forward to getting her in the gym to begin the process.”