Janiah Burrage became the second member of Penn State women’s volleyball’s 2028 recruiting class Friday when the 6-foot outside hitter from Rancho Christian School in Temecula, California, verbally committed to the Nittany Lions.

Burrage, a rising junior, astonishingly is already touching 10’8” halfway through her high-school career. She represents Forza1 North (17 One) on the club circuit and is among the top scoring threats at her position in the 2028 class. Burrage is the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 2 outside hitter in VB Adrenaline’s updated 2028 rankings.

Burrage announced the news on her Instagram account Friday evening:

Janiah Joins Averi Bridges in 2028 Class

Burrage camped at Texas A&M, Louisville, and Pitt in recent weeks, but committed to Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s Nittany Lions after carefully weighing her collegiate options.

Although she did not attend the program’s 8 Star Camp last Thursday at Rec Hall, the Penn State coaching staff had seen enough of her game at club tournaments and on film to feel convicted that she’s the outside hitter they want in 2028.

Burrage joined 5-foot-8 Nebraska libero Averi Bridges, who verbally committed to the Nittany Lions Monday, in Penn State’s 2028 class. She is the latest example of Penn State’s top-flight recruiting at outside hitter, most recently following 2027 commit Olivia Henry and current freshmen Finley Krystkowiak and Haley Burgdorf. Burrage was named one of the UA Next Los Angeles camp MVPs in May.

Schumacher-Cawley and associate head coach Megan Hodge Easy played the position at a high level for the Nittany Lions, to put it lightly, and now they’re developing a new generation of stars. Jess Mruzik and Camryn Hannah, who were crucial to Penn State’s 2024 NCAA national championship run, are prime examples of this staff’s ability to refine talent and take it to another level.

Burrage a Regular at NTDP Training Series

Like the majority of Penn State’s commits, Burrage is a regular attendee of USA volleyball’s NTDP training series, showing plenty of promise in gyms full of the country’s best young players.

Burrage can now count herself among a select group of future Nittany Lions, who, naturally, find themselves in the spotlight at events like these, because of how respected the Penn State women’s volleyball brand is.

Earlier this June, VB Adrenaline conducted a lengthy interview with Burrage, which can be viewed in full below.