MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball head coach Corey Phelps has announced the addition of four new student-athletes to the Maverick roster. Kaelyn Wieland, Kyla Klein, Peyton Strout, and Ella Lingren are set to join the program for the 2026 season. 
  
All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. 
  
"I could not be more excited about the 2026 class of volleyball commits. Every one of these four athletes is not only highly skilled and ready for the next level of competition, but more importantly, great human beings,"  said Phelps. "They will add depth to our roster and instantly elevate our program.  Although their impact on our win/loss record is yet to be seen, their impact on our culture, grit, and competitiveness will be instantaneous."   
 
Kaelyn Wieland, a 5'8 setter from West Des Moines, Iowa, where she played for Valley High School. Wieland was a 2024 First Team CIML All-Conference, All-District 5A, Third Team All-State 5A, and CIML All-Academic honoree, while also helping her team reach the Iowa High School Volleyball State Tournament in both 2022 and 2023. She earned All-Tournament Team recognition in 2022 and was selected for the All-Star Senior Game. A versatile athlete, Wieland was a four-time USAV Junior National Tournament participant and a member of the 2022 USA Iowa High Performance 14 National Team. She also excelled in track and field as a 2023 and 2024 state qualifier in multiple relay events, earning All-Academic honors in both sports. The daughter of Shannon and Tony Wieland, Kaelyn plans to major in Applied Health Sciences at Minnesota State. 
 
"Kaelyn is an outstanding athlete. She is going to have an immediate impact on our program because of her volleyball IQ, work ethic, and competitiveness. Her ability to read a play and anticipate so her team can capitalize in the moment is the kind of skill that elevates any team," adds Phelps. "She can run any tempo set with great location and will help our hitters find new levels of execution very quickly. She will play much bigger than her 5'8" stature and is the type of player who draws your attention."  
 
Kyla Klein, a 5'9 outside hitter from New Prague, Minnesota, where she played for New Prague High School. A two-time team captain, Klein earned All-State Class AAAA and Metro West All-Conference honors in both 2024 and 2026 while also being named Team MVP in 2024. She helped lead New Prague to a second-place finish in the 2023 Class AAAA Minnesota State Tournament and has left her mark in the program's record books with 1,158 career kills, including school records for kills in a match (29), kills in a season (481), career kills (1,158), aces in a season (49), and digs in a match (29). The daughter of Dana and Ryan Klein, Kyla plans to major in Business at Minnesota State. 
 
"Kyla is a competitor. She brings a calm confidence to the court and a smile that reassures her team that everything is under control. She is a six rotation outside hitter that can handle her own on both sides of the ball," mentions Phelps. "With an arm swing and hand contact that closely mirror's her older sister Avery, she's sure to do great things for the Mavericks. Her high school and club experience have both prepared her for competition in the NSIC. I expect her to challenge the returners and raise the level of play in our gym very quickly."

Peyton Strout is a 5'10 middle blocker from Elgin, Illinois, where she starred at Central High School. A talented two-sport athlete, Strout earned recognition on several JVA Watch Lists from 2023 to 2025 and was selected to the 2024 Fox Valley All-Conference Team and All-Area Honorable Mention. She was also featured on the AVCA Phenom Watch Lists in both 2023 and 2024. Beyond the volleyball court, Strout shined in track and field, qualifying for the Illinois State Meet after winning sectionals in the 100M hurdles, while also competing in the 100M, 200M, and long jump. A dedicated student and consistent honor roll member, Peyton is the daughter of Lesley and Tim Strout and intends to major in Health Sciences at Minnesota State. 

"Peyton is what some would call an undersized middle blocker, but she is a dynamic athlete who can play well above the net," adds Phelps. "Her quickness and grit will add to our program's growing reputation of middle excellence. She is the type of teammate that those around her rally for with her work ethic, determination and a clear love of the game on the court." 
 
Ella Lingren, a 5'5 libero/defensive specialist from Neenah, Wisconsin, where she played for Neenah High School. Lingren earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore, followed by Second Team All-Conference recognition as a junior, and capped off her career as a First Team All-Conference selection her senior year. Known for her defensive consistency and court leadership, Ella is the daughter of Stacey and Travis Lingren and plans to major in Nuclear Medicine at Minnesota State. 
 
"Ella is bringing a great deal of ball control, both in serve receive and defensively.  She's the type of athlete who brings great energy to the court every day," said Phelps. "Her communication and ability to anticipate will elevate our defense from day one.  I'm excited to see where we can go defensively once she gets here."  
 
"These four new Mavericks are going to help our program level up on and off the court. They will add to our team culture, work-ethic and commitment to excellence. They will help us move a step closer to the top of the conference. Preseason 2026 can't get here soon enough," said Phelps.