BEAUMONT, Texas — As the 2025 volleyball season quickly approaches, Lamar University added three more players to its roster.

The three freshmen include Gabby Baker, Kinley Elms and Gizem Eroglu.

Lamar's begins the season under second-year head coach Ariel Apolinario in 80 days with a home exhibition match against Texas State on Saturday, Aug. 23 before traveling to DeLand, Fla. for a tournament at Stetson University.

Gabby Baker, 5-foot-3, L/DS, Bryan, Texas / Rudder HS

Baker broke the Rudder High School career school record for digs (2,934) as well as the single-season school record for digs (834).

A four-year letterwinner, she had 779 digs, 234 assists, 65 service aces and 30 kills in 134 sets played during her senior campaign.

She was named the District 17-5A Defensive Most Valuable Player while also earning a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association's All-American and Phenom watch lists.

Baker also landed on the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association's preseason and postseason teams.

She was also recognized as the District Newcomer of the Year while also earning All-Brazos Valley first team and AVCA All-Region honors.

Baker earned Rudder High's MVP and Defensive MVP awards.

Sporting a 4.4 GPA in the classroom, she ranked in the top 5% of her graduating class.

Baker earned numerous academic accolades from the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association, Texas High School Coaches Association and Texas Girls Coaches Association.

She was also named a KBTX Classroom Champion and to the District 17-5A All-Academic team.

Apolinario on Baker: "The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Gabby is culture. She is a champion in the classroom, humble and extremely competitive. Gabby has an exceptional work ethic. We are looking forward to seeing how she develops and pushes those around her to continue growing. I am confident she will help elevate our program."

Kinley Elms, 6-foot-1, OPP, Aledo, Texas / Aledo HS

Elms, a three-year letterwinner at Aledo High School, wrapped up her senior season with 418 kills in 125 sets played while she had 98 total blocks and 122 digs.

She finished with 875 career kills and 172 career total blocks.

Elms was named the District 5-5A Co-MVP in 2024.

She earned District 5-5A Blocker of the Year in 2023 while also being named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State team.

Elms also participated in the 5A/6A TGCA all-star game as a junior.

She was also named to the Girls Junior National Championship all-tournament team in 2023.

As a sophomore she earned District 5-5A honorable mention honors.

Elms was named to the Academic All-District team three years in a row.

Apolinario on Elms: "If she gets it right, Kinley has the physical tools to impact our program from day one. Kinley should allow us the opportunity to play a more physical brand of volleyball. She is a versatile pin player with a good arm. We are adding another good student, teammate and human being. Kinley understands what it takes to play high level ball and be successful."

Gizem Eroglu, 6-foot-1, MB, Izmir, Turkey / Gelisim Koleji

Nicknamed the "Slide Queen from Izmir," Eroglu graduated with honors after maintaining a 3.44 GPA.

She played for Gelism Koleji S.K. this past season while she also competed with Galatasaray II (2022-23) and Dalton Koleji Spor Kulubu (2021-22).

She helped lead her team to back-to-back fourth place finishes in the 18 and under Super League in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

In 2021-22, she led her team to a second-place finish in the 16 and under Super League.

Apolinario on Eroglu: "She will bring a level of experience that the average student-athlete simply doesn't have. She's accustomed to long training sessions and a rigorous travel schedule. She's very independent and disciplined while she brings an exceptional work ethic. Gizem is a versatile athlete that should allow us the opportunity to open our playbook. We are looking forward to being part of her growth while she makes a transition to the collegiate game here in the U.S."