ORLANDO - UCF volleyball head coach Matt Botsford and his staff have announced the signings of three prominent class of 2026 athletes, each set to join the Knights next season.
This class, composed of all Florida natives, is stacked with natural talent and physical ability. After welcoming five freshmen in 2025, the Black and Gold will continue their youth movement and continue their recruiting prowess in the Sunshine State.
The 2026 class is going to play a significant role in our continued efforts to establish UCF as premier volleyball program. Deana, London, and Natasha each have the ability to contribute to that collective vision. Aside from their exceptional talents on the court, they are also extremely committed to the culture we are building and have embraced the expectations we have for them. With the added bonus of all three being products of the state of Florida, we look forward to the positive impact they will have while wearing the black and gold!
Matt BotsfordHead CoachBelow is a breakdown of the three class of 2026 signees:
London Adkins | Ocoee, Florida | Lake Brantley High School | Winter Park Volleyball Club
Adkins is set to be a talented addition to the team, having broken her high school's blocking record with 232 in just three seasons of play. The Floridian also broke local records in her freshman year, pacing all freshmen in the state in blocks.
The middle blocker is a three-year district champion and has more than 550 kills in her career, securing her place on the all-conference first team the past two seasons. The senior has played right-side hitter as well as middle blocker for two years, showing her versatility on the court.
Balancing both athletic and academic achievements, the future Knight in 2023 achieved the State of Florida All-Academic Honors. Adkins will continue her growth under Botsford and multiple returning figures in 2026.
Why UCF? "I chose UCF because I believe it's the best place for me to grow as a volleyball player on and off the court. I am excited to learn from an amazing coaching staff and to play at a high level!
Natasha Casey | Orlando, Florida | Lake Howell High School | Club OTVA
A Hometown Hero, Casey signs with UCF after a dominant four seasons at Lake Howell High School. With over 1,000 kills in three seasons, the Orlando native will bring a fresh face to the already talented roster.
Casey holds an impressive .453 hitting percentage, making her a top 10 player for hitting in Florida. She holds an average of 6.3 kills per set at the high school level, making her a new threat to the Knights' attacking corps.
With multiple accolades to her name, Casey has been tabbed to the all-conference first team each season, while also being nominated to the AVCA all-star team.
The right-side hitter has executed more than 50 solo blocks and over 500 kills in her senior year, showing the offensive and defensive skills that fans can look forward to in the upcoming season.
Why UCF? "I am excited to be a part of a program build-up and experience the growth of the school and team."
Deana Petrov | Clearwater, Florida | Largo High School | New Waves Volleyball Club
Hailing from Clearwater, Petrov is joining the Black and Gold as a middle blocker. In only two seasons in varsity volleyball, she has tallied over 250 kills and an outstanding .472 hitting percentage, while boasting 175 blocks (1.2 per set).
Petrov has achieved multiple milestones with her skill set, including becoming an All-Star's Second MVP and a 2025 FACA 6A District 14 Player of the Year to close out her high school career.
A competitive dancer for over seven years, the future Knight has shown remarkable growth in such a short time in the game and will look to grow under one of the Big 12's best blocking units.
Why UCF? "I chose UCF because of the coaching staff. I’m so confident in the program they are building and can’t wait to start learning from them. I’m so excited to be part of the team and make so many memories!"
SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF volleyball single-match and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action in the program's 50th Anniversary Season. Tickets can be purchased online at ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.