A 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of Lino Lakes, Minn., Elena Hoecke comes to the Gophers after a decorated prep career. A five-time varsity player at Centennial High School, Hoecke was named a 2026 Under Armour All-American, the 2025 Minnesota Ms. Baden Award winner and the 2025 Star Tribune Volleyball Player of the Year. The two-time All-State selection was named to the 2025 AAAA State All-Tournament Team. A three-time team captain at Centennial, Hoecke was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class in Minnesota according to PrepDig.com (No. 14 player nationally).
GS: Take us through your background and childhood. EH: Growing up, I lived with my mom and dad and I have an older sister named Elise who goes to Northwestern St. Paul. Like I'm going to be, she's studying kinesiology. She's in her last semester and then she'll be going to more school for an occupational therapy grad program. I grew up in Lino Lakes, Minnesota in the same house with my parents and sister. I've loved it and I love Minnesota. My family is very close, we like to travel and be outside. We have a boat, so we go on the lake a lot.
Elena (second from right) with her family at a Gopher volleyball matchGS: How did you first get into volleyball? Did you try other sports growing up? EH: I played a lot of sports. I was big into basketball and softball in addition to volleyball. I didn't want to play volleyball at first because my sister played and I didn't want it to seem like I was copying her. My parents told me I should try it and I did a camp. I really liked it and joined a club team and I've loved it ever since. I had to quit softball first when I was 12 and played basketball through eighth grade.Â
GS: When did you know that you were really starting to improve and that you could have a future in this sport? EH: I played up in age group for a lot of my club years, so I was 13 playing on a 14's team when I started to get college interest. I got some college camp invites and knew that this could be a big part of my future. I then just kind of dove into the recruiting process, started going to camps and researching schools I was interested in.
Elena back in her basketball playing daysGS: What camps did you go to leading up to your commitment? EH: I went out to Louisville, Minnesota and Ohio State. I also visited a few other campuses unofficially when I was around those areas for club tournaments.
GS: Take us through what June 15 of your junior year was like for you when you were first able to hear from colleges. EH: My recruiting director with MN Select was so helpful for me in getting me prepared to figure out what was important to me in a school. Academics are very important to me and I wasn't going to go anywhere without a Kinesiology program. That itself put some schools more towards the back burner for me. Going into June 15, I definitely had a top-10 schools. I only ended up prioritizing five schools in my recruitment. Once calls starting happening, it was more getting to know you type stuff and building those relationships.
GS: What were your top factors in choosing your school? EH: Academics for sure was one. Then playing at the highest level was important. I really wanted to play in the Big Ten. I talked to schools outside of the Big Ten too, I wasn't against playing elsewhere. The program culture and people mattered a lot to me. They're your second family so that was a big thing for me. Through recruiting, staying home wasn't everything but I am so happy I made the decision I did. All my family and friends can come watch me play every night. It's super cool that I get to play in front of so many people I love.
Hoecke on her official to MinnesotaGS: What stood out about the message from Minnesota in your recruitment? EH: The coaches really wanted to learn about my family and who I am as a person. They wanted to know what I strived to achieve in my career and how they could help me get the best out of me. Keegan always talks about 'People, Values, Volleyball.' The people here and the values they have are so crucial. I felt like I can develop into the player I've always wanted to be here. The stars just all aligned in that aspect.
GS: What has your transition into college been like? EH: There have been positives and many things to get used to. I couldn't imagine myself trying to go through what we did this spring in terms of learning and trying to get ready to play in the Big Ten. The fact that I came early and have been able to learn, sharpen my new skills and change some things up has been huge. It's so helpful I can learn and grow without having to worry about going to play a conference game the next night. It's a piece of mind that I can be working on things and it might not be as good as I want right now, but it's developing. Also getting to know my teammates and coaches and balance academics and volleyball has been an adjustment, so I'm glad to be doing this now.
GS: How has it been getting to know your new teammates? EH: The team has been so supportive. It is such a close knit group. The upperclassmen have been great in showing us newcomers how do do all the little things, get around campus, etc. It's been an easy transition from a relationship perspective. Coming in with two other freshmen in Madi and MaKenna has been great in that we are able to go through everything together.Â
Crosson (L), Kraft (C) and Hoecke (R) on their official visitsGS:Â What's something that surprised you about the University of Minnesota so far? EH: I grew up coming to Gopher games but hadn't spent a lot of time in the academic areas before this spring. I really like the Mall area and it's been super cool to explore those places. I found my study spots between classes and have been able to find cool parts of campus I didn't know existed. My class schedule has been a lot at times. I had class until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday's so just long days combined with practice.
GS: What excites you most about your first collegiate volleyball season? EH: I'm really looking forward to just competing with this team. Our practices have been so competitive and we've seen so much individual and team improvement. We're going to have a great year. I'm excited to put the Gophers jersey on for the first time and play at home this fall in front of a sold out crowd. I cannot wait for that moment.
GS: Where are you most excited to go and play? EH:Â The obvious answer is Wisconsin. The Border Battles are always such fun matchups. I also am excited to go to Nebraska, I have a couple former teammates from USA that are there now. I'm excited to go to different parts of the U.S. and see all the new gyms.
GS: Give a scouting report on yourself for someone who hasn't seen you play before. EH: All the movements I do are really quick. Blocking, hitting, transition - I like to run fast tempo. Blocking is one of the parts in my game where I've grown most in the last couple of years and I'm excited to keep growing there. Attacking off of one foot behind the setter has always been my thing. I also love being a good teammate and hyping up my team is one of my favorite things to do. Seeing them succeed is so rewarding. I'm pretty intense as well, I can definitely get going.
Hoecke sharing her team USA experiences with her parentsGS: What goals do you have for the team and for yourself this year? EH: I want to bring the first national championship back to Minnesota. It's such a historically great program and we have the people to do it. It's a matter of putting in the work to get there. I want to win a Big Ten title as well. We also need to push each other every day and hold each other accountable in and out of the gym. Personally, my biggest goal is to be an All-American in college. I want to establish myself as a known middle in the Big Ten and nationally. For this year, earning a starting role and being able to play within that role. Big Ten Freshman of the Year is my big goal for this season.
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher that you look up to? EH:Â Me and my sister both loved Hannah and Paige Tapp (2013-17). Stephanie Samedy (2017-21) too, she was so fun to watch.
Elena and her sister Elise cheering on the Gophers as kidsGS: When you're not playing volleyball, what do you like to do? EH:Â I love to travel and explore new places. I love to hike, go to the lake and spend time with family and friends.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite Food: Grilled Chicken
Fun Fact: I really like trying iced coffee from every coffee shop
Hidden Talent: I'm very good at pickleball
Favorite Sport To Watch: Football
Pro Sports Team: Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves
Favorite Vacation Spot: Cancun or Maui
TV Shows: Supernatural, SWAT, Court of Gold and The Last Dance
Biggest Inspirations: My parents
