Gophers volleyball will welcome four recruits in the 2025 season.
The 2025 class will be the first that second-year head coach Keegan Cook recruited from start to finish. Two recruits hail from in-state whereas the others come from Texas and Florida.
“I think what will stand out about this class is that they came to Minnesota before they even knew what Minnesota was,” Cook said. “It’s gonna be a big deal for me, they said yes before they knew that Minnesota was still a great program.”
Last season when the four players made their verbal commitment, the Gophers posted a 12-8 Big Ten record in a season that saw several ups and downs. They signed their National Letter of Intent on Nov. 13 to make their commitment official.
Minnesota adds outside Kelly Kinney, libero McKenna Garr, opposite Carly Gilk and middle blocker Jordan Taylor.
Kelly Kinney
Kinney is from West Palm Beach, Florida and attended The King’s Academy where she was an Under-Armour All-American this fall.
Her head coach from King’s Academy, Bethany Avila, said Kinney is a kind, happy and steady leader. Avila added she was the key to their team’s success this season.
“I always knew there was something special about her, when you watch her play volleyball like God made her to do this,” Avila said. “The main thing you’re going to have fun watching is her hitting and the joy she plays with.”
Kinney tallied 1,340 kills, 769 digs, 148 aces and 115 blocks during her prep career. She was ranked by Prep Volleyball as the No. 11 nationally ranked recruit in the 2025 class.
Kinney also spent time on the national level where she was in the National Team Developmental Program from 2021-2024.
Avila said this season helped her prepare for the college scene.
“This year she got to feel what it’s like to feel the pressure of a leader and win like that,” Avila said.
Mckenna Garr
Garr lives an hour north of Minneapolis in Rush City, Minnesota and attended Rush City High School. She was a three-time all-state player and four-time all-conference player during her high school career.
Her head coach Eric Telander said she is a competitor and loves to win. Telander added her serve-receive and control stand out as her best skills.
Telander said Garr started on the varsity court in 7th grade.
“To see her maturity grow both physically and mentally has been fun to watch,” Telander said. “We were able to use that experience and that knowledge to help us push through some matches.”
Garr recorded 354 kills, 1,324 digs, 256 aces and 314 assists in her high school career. She holds the school records in digs and aces.
Telander said she was outstanding at what she did ever since she was in elementary school.
“When she was just a peanut in elementary school her ball skills were out of this world,” Telander said. “Her sister was in my high school program as well and she was also hanging here in the gym.”
Carly Gilk
From Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Gilk attended Champlin Park High School where she won the 2024 Star Tribune All-Minnesota player of the year.
Gilk is the No. 1 ranked player in Minnesota for the 2025 class and the No. 27 ranked player nationally. She led Champlin Park to their first state tournament her senior year, but Lakeville South held off Champlin Park’s attempt at a reverse sweep.
During her high school career, Gilk recorded 1,460 kills, 861 digs, 160 blocks and 169 aces.
Gilk said she chose Minnesota because of the culture and the people around the program. She added it would be special to play in front of her hometown friends and family.
Jordan Taylor
Taylor is from Houston, Texas and attended Langham Creek High School where she earned District 16-6A Outstanding Blocker of the Year three times in four seasons.
During her prep career, Taylor recorded 1,741 kills and 654 blocks. She posted 712 kills and 133 blocks in her senior season.
Like Kinney, Taylor also spent two years with the National Team Developmental program. She said she chose Minnesota because of the environment on and off the court.
The players will trade their high school colors starting next year for a fresh maroon and gold look.
