University of Minnesota Athletics
2026 Volleyball Roster
Jersey Number 17
Elena Hoecke
- Class:
- Freshman
- Position:
- Middle Blocker
- Height:
- 6-3
- High School:
- Centennial
- Hometown:
- Lino Lakes, Minn.
- Prev School:
- MN Select Volleyball Club
- Major:
- Kinesiology
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB:
The 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of Lino Lakes, Minn., 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) • PrepVolleyball.com has her as the No. 16 ranked player in America • Hoecke was named to the AVCA High School Player of the Year watch list and the 2025 Best & Brightest First Team • she earned 2025 Breakdown Pre-Season Player of the Year honors and was named the 2025 AVCA Region 7 Player of the Year • as both a senior and freshman in high school, Hoecke helped Centennial to the State Consolation Championships • a four-time all-conference selection, the three-time team captain posted 1,389 career kills, 685 digs, 383 blocks, 200 aces and a .313 hitting percentage • as a senior, she hit .412 with 338 kills, 189 digs, 103 blocks and 37 aces • as a junior, she hit .324 with 368 kills, 255 digs, 69 blocks and 45 aces • she posted over 140 kills in each of her five varsity seasons • she has experience playing in the USA gym as well, competing as a U19 National Team Player for U21 World Championships last summer • Hoecke played for the 2024 USA U-19 National Team and won a gold medal at the NORCECCA Girls' U19 Continental Championship • she's competed in the USA National Team Development Program since 2022.
PERSONAL:
The daughter of Heather and Kyle Hoecke, she also has an older sister, Elise • her mom graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and her dad graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the 'U' with an MBA • a four-time academic letter winner and a National Honor Society member, Hoecke plans on majoring in kinesiology at Minnesota.
WHY MINNESOTA:
"I chose Minnesota because of the winning history and the amazing culture. I want to play at the highest level and this program gives me the opportunity to do so. I know my coaches and teammates are going to push me to become the best volleyball player and person I can be. Minnesota has a great winning history, and I want to help continue that legacy. Being from Minnesota, I grew up going to Gopher volleyball games, and I cannot wait to play in front of my home crowd at the Pav!"
GOALS:
"My goal is to play a key role on the team and to be an All-American. I will do whatever it takes to help the team win a Big Ten Championship along with Minnesota's first National Championship."
The 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of Lino Lakes, Minn., 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) • PrepVolleyball.com has her as the No. 16 ranked player in America • Hoecke was named to the AVCA High School Player of the Year watch list and the 2025 Best & Brightest First Team • she earned 2025 Breakdown Pre-Season Player of the Year honors and was named the 2025 AVCA Region 7 Player of the Year • as both a senior and freshman in high school, Hoecke helped Centennial to the State Consolation Championships • a four-time all-conference selection, the three-time team captain posted 1,389 career kills, 685 digs, 383 blocks, 200 aces and a .313 hitting percentage • as a senior, she hit .412 with 338 kills, 189 digs, 103 blocks and 37 aces • as a junior, she hit .324 with 368 kills, 255 digs, 69 blocks and 45 aces • she posted over 140 kills in each of her five varsity seasons • she has experience playing in the USA gym as well, competing as a U19 National Team Player for U21 World Championships last summer • Hoecke played for the 2024 USA U-19 National Team and won a gold medal at the NORCECCA Girls' U19 Continental Championship • she's competed in the USA National Team Development Program since 2022.
PERSONAL:
The daughter of Heather and Kyle Hoecke, she also has an older sister, Elise • her mom graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and her dad graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the 'U' with an MBA • a four-time academic letter winner and a National Honor Society member, Hoecke plans on majoring in kinesiology at Minnesota.
WHY MINNESOTA:
"I chose Minnesota because of the winning history and the amazing culture. I want to play at the highest level and this program gives me the opportunity to do so. I know my coaches and teammates are going to push me to become the best volleyball player and person I can be. Minnesota has a great winning history, and I want to help continue that legacy. Being from Minnesota, I grew up going to Gopher volleyball games, and I cannot wait to play in front of my home crowd at the Pav!"
GOALS:
"My goal is to play a key role on the team and to be an All-American. I will do whatever it takes to help the team win a Big Ten Championship along with Minnesota's first National Championship."
Highlights: Spring Exhibition
Monday, April 27
2025 Season Recap
Tuesday, January 27
Best of Julia Hanson
Monday, December 22
Gophers Preview NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
