ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell Big Red women's volleyball team will welcome four freshmen to its roster for the 2026 season, as head coach Trudy Vande Berg announced the addition of Kiran Rio, Charlotte Nowak, Ellery Williamson and Nevaeh Tien.
The quartet brings a blend of high-level club experience, championship pedigrees and strong academic backgrounds to Ithaca, as the Big Red look to build on the program's competitive foundation.
"When we were recruiting this class, we knew we needed to replace a lot of very physical and skilled players." said Vande Berg. "We were looking for competitive ball control, to really pick up our first contact. This class came together really, really well for us. They've all played at a very high level in club and high school, and that's going to help their transition to the speed of the college game."
Kiran Rio
OH/DS | 5-9 | Houston, Texas | St. John's School | Engineering
Watch Rio's Highlight Video
Rio arrives from Houston after a decorated career at St. John's School, where she helped lead her team to the 2025 SPC 4A State Championship. A two-time captain (2024, 2025), she earned All-SPC and Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association honors in both seasons and was named the 2025 GHVCA Private School Player of the Year and Houston Chronicle Private School Player of the Year.
A four-year letter winner who competed for Houston Juniors Volleyball at the club level, Rio is known for her versatility as an outside hitter and defensive specialist.
"Her ball control, her ability to dig balls and serve receive, and her general IQ really stood out," Vande Berg said. "Texas is one of the best volleyball states in the country, and if you win a championship there, that's a big deal. She's a very good athlete, she jumps well, and she finds ways to score against bigger blocks. The big thing she's going to bring is her IQ and her first-contact ability."
Charlotte Nowak
OH | 6-1 | Dana Point, Calif. | JSerra Catholic School | Applied Economics and Management
Watch Novak's Highlight Video
A 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Southern California, Nowak competed at JSerra Catholic School, where she helped guide her team to a CIF championship while earning All-County, All-CIF and All-League honors. A multi-sport athlete, she also competed in beach volleyball and basketball, earning additional CIF accolades.
At the club level, Nowak played for Wave Volleyball Club and Tstreet, earning a bronze medal at USA Nationals (2023) and helping her team to top-15 national rankings in 2024 and 2025.
"I love multi-sport athletes," Vande Berg said. "They're conditioned a little bit better when they get to college, and they see the game differently. Charlotte has great anticipation and awareness. She's not intimidated by anyone — she's competing against Power Four-level players and just ripping balls. She brings size to the pin for us and a fearless mentality."
Ellery Williamson
OH | 5-10 | Toronto, Ontario | University of Toronto Schools | Public Policy
Watch Williamson's Highlight Video
Williamson joins the Big Red from Toronto following a standout high school and club career. A Team MVP in 2025 and two-time OFSAA "A" bronze medalist, she also excelled with Phoenix Volleyball Club, capturing 17U and 18U national and provincial championships. She served as co-captain of the 18U national championship team and earned All-Canadian honors three times.
Williamson also competed with Canada's U17 national team and was named MVP of the 2025 Capitol Hill Classic 18U Open division.
"She's a six-rotation player with very good ball control, but she's also very physical," Vande Berg said. "She jumps really well, she's strong and she's quick. She's played at a very high level, so there won't be as much of a transition to the Division I game. She's someone who can come in right away and do some damage for us."
Nevaeh Tien
Setter | 5-5 | Lehi, Utah | Lone Peak High School | Classics
Watch Tien's Highlight Video
Tien continues a family legacy in Ithaca, becoming the latest of her siblings to compete for Cornell. A three-time 6A state champion at Lone Peak High School, she started on varsity all four years and recorded more than 1,000 assists and 500 digs in her career. She earned All-Star Senior honors in 2026 and competed for Club V Volleyball, helping her team to multiple top-five finishes at USA Volleyball Nationals.
"Nevaeh has played in huge matches — nationals, Triple Crown, major tournaments — and she doesn't get rattled," Vande Berg said. "Her ability to make good decisions and set her hitters up to be successful under pressure is something I really love. She's very competitive, she runs a high-level offense and she's also a really strong defender with a tough serve."
With Tien at the helm, the Big Red add another experienced decision-maker to the setter position.
Collectively, the four newcomers reflect the staff's emphasis on skill, competitiveness and cohesion.
"In volleyball, you have to have kids who click on and off the court," Vande Berg said. "They have to be able to work together and fight for each other. These players are incredibly competitive. This class is not only athletic, they're smart and they have a chip on their shoulder. They want to win."
