Arizona volleyball was relatively quiet during the first portal period in December, but head coach Rita Stubbs has added some of her best players during the late portal period. Two years ago, it was former No. 2 recruit Jordan Wilson. She has to hope to get something similar from the latest, former UCF and Washington State pin hitter Britt Carlson.
Carlson announced her commitment on social media this week.
Carlson is listed as an outside hitter on the UCF roster, but her height of 6-foot-4 suggests she might be a good option at opposite. The Wildcats are looking for someone to play the position after losing Jaelyn Hodge to graduation following the 2024 season.
Carlson will come in as a redshirt junior, but she has already completed her degree at UCF. She started her college career at Washington State in 2022. She enrolled a semester early with the Cougars to take part in spring practice but redshirted that fall. She transferred to UCF the following year.
Carlson has appeared in 39 matches over two seasons with the Knights. She played in all 27 matches last season, appearing in 96 of the team’s 101 sets.
She was fifth on the team with 2.10 kills and 2.40 points per set last year. Her .216 hitting percentage was also fifth on the team.
Calson was fourth on the Knights’ team with 0.51 blocks per set. Seven of her 49 blocks were solo.
The addition of Carlson gives Arizona 15 on the roster. Although opposite An den Hamer is still listed on the 2025 roster, she has already announced that she is transferring. She did not play much for the Wildcats during her only season in Tucson.
In addition ot Carlson, Arizona has senior OH Wilson, sophomore OH Carlie Cisneros, junior OH/OPP Sydnie Vanek, freshman OPP Renee Jones, and freshman OH Paige Thies at the pins. Wilson and Cisneros started on the left side last year, while Vanek was a reserve on both the right and left sides. All except Thies were on campus for spring tournaments.
The Wildcats have junior Journey Tucker, sophomore Adrianna Bridges, and freshman Maya Flemister at middle blocker. All three were in Tucson for spring practice, but Arizona likely needs at least one addition in the middle. The Wildcats had four middles last season.
The setters are sophomore Avery Scoggins, senior Ana Heath, and freshman Chloe Giehtbrock. Heath will likely see some time at opposite and as a serving specialist, as well. Giehtbrock arrived for spring practice, but she will redshirt this season.
The Wildcats have four littles. Redshirt senior Haven Wray and sophomore Brenna Ginder shared duties as the starting liberos last year. Junior returner Giorgia Mandotti and freshman Brookelyn Hatton will fight for time at defensive specialist and libero this season.