Butler Volleyball, led by head coach Kyle Shondell, added three players in the Class of 2027 on National Signing Day.
 
"Every class has its own personality and unique impact on your team", said Shondell. "This 2027 class will bring us ball control, physicality, and a ton of grit. All things we need and take great pride in at Butler."
 
Avary Brown, Madison Gilliam and Mallory Harrison will join the Butler program beginning with the 2027 season. 
 
Avary Brown 
5-8 | Setter | Tiffin, Ohio
 
Brown, a 5-8 setter from Tiffin, Ohio, attends Tiffin Columbian High School. A four-time All-Conference and four-time All-District honoree, she earned four Scholar-Athlete awards while guiding her team to three conference championships, two district titles, and the program's first district championships in 18 years. She holds school records for career assists (2,572), single- season assists (800), and single-game assists (64), finishing her career with 2,572 assists, 754 digs, 212 kills, 153 aces, and 44 blocks. 
 
Coach Shondell on Brown: "Avary surprises people everywhere she goes. What she lacks in size, she makes up for in creativity, hustle, and fire."
 
Why Brown Chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the elite coaching staff, welcoming people, and highly rated academics. The campus is the perfect size and in a great location! " 
 
Madison Gilliam 
6-1 | Middle Blocker | Porter, Ind.
 
Gilliam, a 6-1 middle blocker from Porter, Indiana, attends Chesterton Senior High School. A three-year varsity player, two-year team captain and starter, Gilliam earned All-DAC Conference honors, NWI Times All-Area First Team recognition, and a spot on Team Indiana while competing in both volleyball and track & field. She helped guide her squad to a 30-5 overall record (13-1 in conference play), capturing a conference championship alongside three straight sectional titles and three consecutive regional runner-up finishes. Gilliam capped her high-school tenure with a dominant senior campaign recording 255 kills on a .406 hitting percentage and finished her varsity career with 448 kills and a .352 hitting percentage across 281 sets. 
 
Coach Shondell on Gilliam:  "Madi is one of the hardest-working middle blockers you'll find. Her motor and athleticism align perfectly with the future of Butler Volleyball!"
 
Why Gilliam Chose Butler: "What drew me to Butler University was the amazing people and the welcoming environment. It is the perfect place for me to do what I love and actively pursue my future. Having such a beautiful campus that is close enough for my family to travel and visit makes it feel like exactly where I belong."
 
Mallory Harrison 
5'7 | Libero | Decatur, Ill. 
 
Harrison, a 5-7 libero from Decatur, Illinois, attends Unity Christian High School. A team captain, IVCA Second-Team All-State selection, four-time First-Team All-Conference honoree, and two-time Macon County Player of the Year, she capped her tenure as team MVP while guiding her program to three conference championships, four regional titles and a sectional championship. During her run, her class set a school record with 130 total wins, alongside a single-season record of 35 wins. She holds records for career digs (1,541) and career aces (307), as well as single-season records in digs (441) and aces (132). 
 
Coach Shondell on Harrison: "Mallory is one of the most skilled defensive specialists we have seen in her class. Her poise and competitiveness are beyond her years. "
 
Why Harrison Chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the fit for me both athletically and academically. When I stepped on campus for the first time, I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and culture. The coaching staff is everything I was looking for in a school, and I am excited to be a part of the program Coach Shondell is building."