BOONE, N.C. - App State head volleyball coach
Chad Sutton announced the signing of seven Mountaineers on Thursday. The 2026 signing class features setters Eva Goodson and Lexi Shondell, outside hitters Amelia Mancino and Molly Teague, middle blockers Nevaeh Hays and Amber McClain, and defensive specialist Iris Williams.
"I am very excited to announce our 2026 signing class. This is our first class here and I think we hit it out of the park," said Sutton. "The mountain we are going to climb is not for the faint of heart. We needed championship level players and people. We needed mountain climbers and we got them. This group has seven state championships, five open national titles, all-state selections, and more. The pedigree and character this class brings to the high country is impressive. All seven of these young ladies are of high character, respectful, and selfless. They are great teammates with a common desire to pursue greatness and the rare experience of having achieved it."
Eva Goodson | Setter | Tallahassee, Fla. | Lawton, Chiles HS
Tallahassee, Fla. native Goodson will join the Mountaineers' ranks as a freshman setter next fall. Goodson was named the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year and helped her team to a FHSAA 5A State title. She is a three-time All-Big Bend honoree. Goodson also played on the Prostyle Volleyball Academy (PSVA) club team under the direction of Kaitlyn Jahn. She helped her team to an AAU National Championship title as well as a second-place finish at the USAV Nationals. Goodson was named to the USAV Nationals All-Tournament Team and collected AAU All-American honors.
Goodson plans on studying business cybersecurity while in the High Country. She enjoys baking, cooking, flag football, pickleball, watching movies, beach volleyball, and jet skiing. Additionally, Goodson knows how to make pasta noodles from scratch.
Why Goodson Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the volleyball program, beautiful campus, and business program."
Sutton on Goodson: "Eva is an incredible athlete and competitor who has won titles at every level. She just won her second consecutive state title in Florida while also eclipsing the 1,000-career mark in three categories (kills, assists, digs). She is a volleyballer who really does it all on the court. For all her accomplishments, Eva remains one of the most humble and hardworking players I have ever met."
Nevaeh Hays | Middle Blocker | Greer, S.C. | Riverside HS
Joining the Mountaineers as a middle blocker next fall will be Hays. Hays is the team captain of her high school's team and a four-year letterman. Additionally, she is a three-time All-Regional Player of the Year and a two-time All-American. The Greer, S.C. native also played for the Stars club team, collecting USAV 18S National All-Tournament honors and helping her team to an 2025 AAU National title.
Hays plans on studying engineering. She enjoys baking, cooking, reading, traveling, and outdoor activities. She also played six different sports.
Why Hays Chose App State: "I chose App State for the volleyball program."
Sutton on Hays: "Explosive. Nevaeh is a beast. She is a standout athlete who dominates in the middle. She is very capable of attacking in front or behind and will develop into an incredible volleyball player at this level. She has a quiet swag about her that commands respect. A champion in her own right in the club circuit, Nevaeh brings a winning mentality to our program."
Amelia Mancino | Outside Hitter | Winter Park, Fla. | Winter Park HS
Mancino will join the Mountaineers as an outside hitter. The Winter Park, Fla. native is a 24-25 All-Metro selection as well as a two-time Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State honoree. Mancino also competed on the WPVC 17 Armour Black club team under the direction of Matthew Jackson and Wylie Devlin, as well as the WPVC 18 Armour Black club team under the direction of Tyler Hubbardneil and Randy Adrono. She is a Team Florida 17U Tournament MVP and 17 Open AAU All-American. Mancino guided her club team to a 17 Open AAU title.
While at App State, Mancino plans on studying psychology. She enjoys going to the beach and playing both grass and beach volleyball.
Why Mancino Chose App State: "I chose App State for the amazing campus and welcoming community."
Sutton on Mancino: "Amelia is a gritty competitor who has an advanced feel for the game. She has refined skills that will translate seamlessly to this level. Amelia just won her second consecutive state title at the highest level in Florida after winning a national championship this summer. Both teams rely heavily on her control of the game to be successful and she delivered each time. Amelia knows what it takes to win and I can't wait for her to make an impact on our program."
Amber McClain | Middle Blocker | Jupiter, Fla. | Winter Park HS
Amber McClain comes to Boone as a freshman middle blocker. She helped her team to a state championship. Additionally, she played on the Jupiter Elite and Winter Park Volleyball club teams under the direction of Matt Jackson and Wiley Devlin. She guided her club team to a national championship title.
McClain, who plans on studying criminology, is the youngest of five. Her father, Dwayne, played in the NBA. She enjoys going to the beach and hanging out with friends.
Why McClain Chose App State: "I chose App State for the beautiful campus, amazing coaches, and a program that feels like home."
Sutton on McClain: "Amber is as quick as a cat. She is pure speed. She closes pin-to-pin with her blocking and gets off the ground as quickly as anyone I have seen. She has tremendous athletic ability and stays calm under pressure. Amber also just won her second consecutive state title a few days ago in Florida after winning nationals this summer.
Lexi Shondell | Setter | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon HS
Shondell will serve as a freshman setter next fall. She was tabbed 2024 Big School Player of the Year, Max Preps High School All-American Second Team, and Prep Volleyball High School All-American Honorable Mention. Competing on the Boiler Juniors club team under the direction of John Shondell, Suzanne Masten, Chandra Hepler, and Jasmine Fullove, she helped the team to three national championship titles. She was also a 2021 AAU All-American, 2023 JVA All-American, and 2024 Show Me National Qualifier MVP.
During her time in Boone, Shondell plans on studying business. The Lafayette, Ind. native enjoys reading, traveling, shopping, lifting weights, hanging out with her cat. She comes to the High Country from a family with a very strong volleyball background, as her sister, Allie, plays volleyball at Purdue and her father, John, is an assistant coach at Wisconsin. Additionally, her grandfather, Dr. Don Shondell is in every volleyball hall of fame as the second-winningest coach in men's volleyball history and has a sports complex named after him at Ball State and her uncle, Steve, is in the AVCA Hall of Fame and National High School Hall of Fame for winning 22 Indiana volleyball state titles.
Why Shondell Chose App State: "I chose App State because I believe in the coaches and the volleyball team and the campus is beautiful."
Sutton on Shondell: "Lexi is a very talented setter with immense pedigree and experience. She has been in the gym since she could walk and has been coached by one of the best developers in the business. A student of the game, Lexi is a gym rat dedicated to mastering her craft. With multiple national championships under her belt, Lexi has what it takes to help us take this program over the top."
Molly Teague | Outside Hitter | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Blackman HS
Hailing from Murfreesboro, Tenn., Teague will compete as an outside hitter for the Black and Gold. Teague led a decorated high school career, surpassing 1,000 kills and was named team MVP. She collected the Selfless Teammate award as well as All-State, All-Region MVP, Area Player of the Year, and All-Mid-State accolades. She also competed on the Rhythm 17-1s club team under the direction of Jeff Wismer. Teague helped her club team to a qualification for nationals in the USA division.
Teague plans on studying psychology while at App State. She enjoys music and dancing.
Why Teague Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the coaches and the culture."
Sutton on Teague: "Molly is a physical player who has the size and athleticism to be dominant on either pin. She is an exceptional blocker, possessing the potential to steal an attacker's confidence. Molly is humble, hardworking, and has a desire to pursue her absolute best. She is a very exciting player whose best years are in front of her."
Iris Williams | Defensive Specialist | Louisville, Ky. | Assumption HS
Williams comes to the High Country as a defensive specialist from Louisville, Ky. In her time at Assumption High School, she led her team to three state championship titles. In addition to her high school career, she played for the Union Volleyball Club.
While at App State, Williams plans on studying marketing.
Why Williams Chose App State: "I chose App State because of the amazing and supportive coaching staff and also the beautiful campus in the mountains."
Sutton on Williams: "Iris is a first-contact specialist hailing from the number one high school volleyball program in the country. She is accustomed to high standards, chasing excellence, and championship expectations. Coming off her third consecutive state title, Iris knows how to get it done. She will help fortify our defensive specialists and elevate our serve, pass, and dig game all while elevating the daily expectation of taking this program over the top."
