Two to The Farm

STANFORD, Calif. - Kevin Hambly, The Montag Family Director of Women's Volleyball, and his staff have announced the signings of two high school standouts who will compete for the women's volleyball team next fall. 

Stanford's incoming class includes Ava Burgess (Lehi, Utah) and Tessa Larkin (Phoenix, Ariz.).

"We are extremely excited about this class," said Hambly. "Both Ava and Tessa are already accomplished outside hitters and they will immediately increase the talent and skill in the gym. Both are six-rotation pin players every coach wants on their roster and will compete to play the minute they step on campus. We have extremely high expectations for this class."

Ava Burgess • 6-2 • Outside Hitter • Lehi, Utah • Lone Peak HS

• AVCA Girls High School Region Player of the Year (2026)
• AVCA Girls Best and Brightest (2026)
• AVCA Girls High School Watchlist (2026)
• Utah First Team All-State (2025)
• Utah 6A Player of the Year (2024)
• MaxPreps Utah Player of the Year (2024)
• Utah Third Team All-State (2023)
• Two-time Utah 6A State Champions (2023, 2024)
• 1,264 career kills for Lone Peak
• Member of 2026 USA Women’s U19 and U23 National Teams
  • Gold Medal - NORCECA Women’s U19 Continental Championship
  • Gold Medal - NORCECA Women’s U23 Pan American Cup
• USA Volleyball NTDP Training Series Athlete (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• Plays for Club V
  
  • Under Armour NEXT All-America Game participant (2026)
  • PrepVolleyball All-American (2026)
  • USAV GJNC All-Tournament Team (2026)
  • USAV GJNC All-Tournament Team (2025)
  • Gold Medal - USAV Salt Lake Showdown Girls National Qualifier (2026)
  • Gold Medal - USAV Girls West Coast National Qualifier (2026)
  • Gold Medal - USAV Red Rock Rave Girls National Qualifier (2026)

Coach Hambly on Burgess: “Ava is an incredibly physical player who will bring a great arm and strong blocking to the pin position. She will be a player fans will love; her passion for the game and her extreme aggression will help her score points early and often in her career."

Tessa Larkin • 6-1 • Outside Hitter • Phoenix, Ariz. • Xavier College Preparatory

• Two-time 6A State Champion (2024, 2025)
  • 6A State Champion MVP (2025)
• Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year (2025-2026)
• National Gatorade Player of the Year Finalist (2025-2026)
• Prep Volleyball: ranked #4 overall recruit for Class of 2027
• UA Next All-American (2026)
• Arizona Republic High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year (2025)
• Two-tine Arizona Republic All-Arizona Girls High School Volleyball Team (2023, 2024)
• AVCA Girls High School All America Third Team (2025)
  • Honorable Mention in 2024
• Two-time AVCA Girls High School All-Region Team (2024, 2025)
• MaxPreps Best Player in Arizona (2025)
• MaxPreps National POY Watchlist (2025)
• MaxPreps Top 10 Senior Hitters (2026)
• Two-time MaxPreps All-America Team (2024, 2025)
• MaxPreps Volleyball Freshman, Sophomore, Junior All-America Team 
• Two-time USA Today Arizona High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year nominee (2023, 2024)
• Arizona 6A All-Conference First Team
• Arizona 6A Central Region Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024)
• Arizona 6A All Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024)
• Three-time Sports360AZ All-Academic Girls Volleyball First Team (2023, 2024, 2025)
• Three-time National Honor Society (2024, 2025, 2026)
• Three-time National English Honor Society (2024, 2025, 2026)
• Xavier College Preparatory President’s Council (2026)
• Four-time Xavier College Preparatory Academic First Honors (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• USA Volleyball U21 National Team (2026)
• USA Volleyball U23 Pan American Cup MVP (2026)
• USA Volleyball U23 Pan American Cup Best Receiver (2026)
• USA Volleyball U19 National Team (2025)
• USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• Plays club for Arizona Storm Elite VBC

Coach Hambly on Larkin: “Tessa is a great combination of skill and physicality; she will immediately pass at the collegiate level. The game seems to move slowly for Tessa, and she uses her physical gifts, her skill, and awareness to score points in a multitude of ways. She should compete to start early in her career."