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."
2025 Season Recap
Tuesday, January 27
Best of Julia Hanson
Monday, December 22
Gophers Preview NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Reach Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
