BEAUMONT, Texas – With the start of preseason camp just days away, Lamar University head coach Arial Apolinario has bolstered his roster with four additions including an outside hitter, a middle blocker and two liberos. Ashlyn Gamble (5-10, MB, Alabaster, Ala.) and Maja Malinowska (6-0, OH, Wloclawek, Poland) have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education with the Lamar, while Keeley Nellis (5-3, L, Pleasant, S.C.) and Addison Stanley (5-1, L, Dickinson, Texas) have also been admitted to the university.
 
"Early on in this process with our staff one of the main things we have focused on is culture," said LU head coach Ariel Apolinario. "We want to retool the culture and with that in mind the most important thing was identifying athletes that could help us improve in that area. I think we did that with this incoming group. This is a talented group that will help us lay the foundation.
 
"In a very short time we were able to add some nice pieces to the program. Our incoming class brings the flexibility to play multiple positions which means we can adapt to different styles of play. These are some really talented players who have been playing for a while, but most importantly they were identified for their leadership. Not only will they help this program but I believe we, as a staff, we'll help them grow as well. I'm excited about the development opportunities with this group. I think we covered a lot of areas within the timeframe we had," added Apolinario.
 
All four athletes make their way to Beaumont from different regions as the class includes three states, including the Lone Star State, Alabama and South Carolina and one international athlete.
 
Malinowska comes to the Golden Triangle from Wloclawek, Poland, where she was a part of the Polish U20 Youth National Team try-out program. A two-time Polish Junior National Champion (2023 and 2024), Malinowska was a member of four top five junior national teams from 2018 through 2022.
 
A standout for Thompson High School in Alabama, Gamble is the true-definition of a student-athlete. The Alabaster class Valedictorian, garnered JVA Academic All-America honors in the classroom and USAV Nationals All-American honors on the court.
  
Another standout in the classroom, Nellis helped guide her prep squad to back-to-back state titles (2021 and 2022) as one of the top defensive players in the Palmetto State. Nellis received All-Palmetto Region honors in 2022 and followed that up with all-region recognition again in 2023. An Academic Honorable Mention All-America, Nellis was a defensive captain as a senior.
 
One of two liberos, Nellis is joined by Stanley in the class. Stanley was named District 24-6A Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-GHCA. A former Houston Chronicle Player of the Week selection, Stanley graduated with 1,000-plus career digs. A three-team defensive MVP, Stanley had such an impact on the floor she closed out her career earning MVP honors. Stanley recorded 1,395 digs and 112 aces (in just three seasons on varsity). 
 
The Cardinals officially report for the start of camp Wednesday, Aug. 7^th with the first workout slated for the following day.