VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova University volleyball program will make an addition to its incoming recruiting class, head coach Josh Steinbach announced this week.

Middle blocker Sophia Stalcup (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) joins the now-four person Villanova Volleyball class of 2027, joining Abby Harrell, Marly Smith and Annika Veurink.

"We're excited for this class," Steinbach said. "They each have the ability to compete to play immediately on arrival and fill some needs to help us get back to where we expect to be in the league."

Sophia Stalcup
Middle Blocker / 6'3
Trabuco Canyon, Calif. / Santa Margarita Catholic H.S.

Santa Margarita Catholic: Earned three varsity letters in volleyball as a middle blocker … Named Second Team All-Trinity League … Led her team in blocks as a senior … Selected to academic honor roll in all four years at Santa Margarita Catholic … Member of National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society … Earned Scholar-Athlete award in all four years of scholastic career …Was a high school teammate of VU volleyball player Taryn Whittingham …Currently plays club for Mizuno Long Beach 18 - Rockstar, where she's played for six years.

Personal: Born 3/14/05 in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. … Only child of Karl and Sally Stalcup … Father ran cross country at Butte College … Enjoys skiing, cooking and art … Plans to major in political science … Chose to attend Villanova because of "the rigorous academics and athletics I knew would challenge me. I fell in love with the campus, location and the school's environment as a whole. Villanova is a place that can challenge me to grow in all aspects of life."

Steinbach on Stalcup: "We're excited to add Sophia. She's got a really good offensive game and has shown the ability to score at a high level on teams that compete in the best volleyball region in the country. She's a student-athlete that will thrive at Villanova."