NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Northwestern State Demons' volleyball team and head coach Ben Kaszeta signed five student-athletes to the 2026 recruiting class including Amber Craig, Anna Clair Hebert, Addison Guy, Olivia Nzioki and Gillian Wolf.

Craig (6'1" - from Tomball, Texas) and Wolf (5'11"- from Houston – Premier 16 Club) are both outside hitters. Craig was also named to the first team all-district for Tomball High School back on Nov. 15 while Wolf has all the intangibles that Kaszeta is looking for.

"Amber (Craig) brings some good arm speed and block at the position," said Kaszeta. "She's a great kid and a super competitor and it's fun to watch someone that plays like that. Gillian is the ultimate competitor that plays in one of the best clubs in Houston. She's a high-energy player that's going to bring it every single day. She's going to be somebody that keeps everyone energetic and that's something we said we had to find."

Hebert (5-7 – Setter - from Parks, Louisiana – Cajun Club Elite team) helped Teurlings Catholic High School to a 24-12 record and a berth in the 2025 LHSAA Division II quarterfinals. She's a player that Kaszeta has had an eye on for years.

"I've watched AC (Anna Clair) grow up since she was 10-years old," said Kaszeta. "She screams everything that this program is about. She's a high character kid that moves well and she's athletic. Her high school team has played in a state championship a couple of times and her team this year was way undersized and almost played for another one. She also wants to be a nurse which we have a good curriculum here for that and her family goes on vacation here so for her this place is home beforehand."

Guy (6'2" - from Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and Nzioki (6'1" - from Shawnee, Kansas – Club North) are both middle blockers that caught Kaszeta's eyes because of their development, athleticism, intelligence and willingness to work.

"Addison (Guy) is a late developer," said Kaszeta. "Watching her a couple years ago, I didn't think there was a chance. But she continues to get better; She does the extras. Lessons, camps clinics, everything that she can to improve. She's an in-state kid that comes from an area with really good volleyball. She's someone that can play both the middle and right side and is a grinder. Olivia (Nzioki) brings something similar to Guy. She's long and athletic with an analytical mind. She's a thinker! Someone that is going to find a way to score. She also comes from a really good club system, and she's learned from really good coaches. Watching her from when I started looking at her to now, she's made tremendous progress."

As Kaszeta's 2026 recruiting class is signed and has the Demons' head coach excited for what's to come.

"This recruiting class is an incredibly competitive group of kids that is ready to come in and work," said Kaszeta. "Those were the couple of things that we identified as things that exemplify us and who we want to become. This group is exactly that."