BEAUMONT, Texas — In addition to the four new freshmen recruits, the Lamar University volleyball program is also adding four players from the transfer portal.

The Cardinals finished the 2025 season with a 17-15 overall record while they posted a fifth-place finish in the Southland Conference with a 10-6 mark under head coach Ariel Apolinario and staff.

LU has enjoyed a significant turnaround, recording back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2008-2009 and back-to-back trips to the conference tournament for the first time since 2010-2011.

The new additions include two Division I transfers in Grace Hill (Texas Southern) and Nisaan Martinez (Alabama A&M) as well as junior college transfer Kiana Souza (Weatherford College).

Kimaya Webb is coming to Beaumont from Division II UT Permian Basin in Odessa.

"In addition to our freshmen class arriving later during the summer, we return a talented group of athletes with a great deal of experience and ability," Apolinario said. "If we continue growing, we have the potential to develop into a true contender in the SLC.

"I am excited to see how these four ladies transfer their skillset on and off their court. The future looks bright for LU volleyball."

Grace Hill (Jr.), 5-foot-10, OH/RS | Houston, Texas / Glenda Dawson HS | Texas Southern

Hill appeared in 30 matches and 105 sets this past fall at Texas Southern as she tallied 254 kills, 15 assists, 22 service aces, 153 digs, 36 total blocks and 298.5 total points.

She had a season-high 19 kills during a four-set victory over Southern on Sept. 29. She went on to match her season-high mark once more in a five-set win over Jackson State on Oct. 6.

Hill tallied a pair of double-doubles twice against Grambling State on Oct. 13 and Nov. 16.

She posted a season-high 14 digs against Southern on Nov. 3 while she had a season-high five block assists against Grambling State.

During her three-year career at Texas Southern, Hill played in 309 sets and 90 matches, recording 698 kills, 37 assists, 45 service aces, 425 digs, 15 solo blocks, 84 block assists and 800 total points.

Apolinario on Hill: "Grace is a highly reliable and self-sufficient individual with a strong character. Her ability to put the ball away should be a great addition."

Kiana Souza (So.), 5-foot-6, DS/L | San Antonio, Texas / John M. Harlan HS | Weatherford College

A two-time North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Souza finished with 449 digs (3.9 digs per set) in 37 matches and 115 sets played.

She also tallied two kills, 136 assists and 56 service aces this past fall.

Souza posted a season-high 27 digs on Sept. 2 during a four-set win against North Central Texas College.

She had 10 or more digs in 25 matches.

Ranked No. 2 in the nation, Weatherford College finished fourth at the NJCAA national tournament capping off the season with a 34-4 overall record, the program's best finish in its four-year history.

The program posted a 22-game winning streaking as it also finished 18-0 in conference play, capturing the Region V title.

Souza finished her two-year career with 978 digs, 97 service aces, four kills and 260 assists.

Apolinario on Souza: "Kiana is a dedicated young lady that is highly coachable and has strong communication skills. Defense should be a strength."

Kimaya Webb (So.), 5-foot-11, MB | Fort Worth, Texas / V.R. Eaton HS | UT Permian Basin

This past fall, Webb played in 21 matches and 47 sets as she tallied 62.5 points, 50 kills, three assists, 17 digs, four solo blocks, 17 block assists and 21 total blocks.

She had a season-high seven kills and four total blocks during a five-set win over Azusa Pacific on Sept. 12.

Webb ranked third on the team with a .242 attack percentage.

She is no stranger to the Southland Conference as she began her collegiate career at McNeese in 2024.

Webb posted 112 kills in 26 starts and 98 sets played while she also had 149.5 points, one assist, 10 service aces, 35 digs, 35 block assists and 45 total blocks.

Apolinario on Webb: "Kimaya is a hardworking, driven and passionate player. She is a good competitor with a team and family mentality. Her versatility should be a strength."

Nisaan Martinez (So.), 6-foot-3, MB/RS | Belmopan, Belize | Saint Catherine Academy | Alabama A&M

Leading Alabama A&M to its first winning season since 2019, Martinez finished with 275 kills and 332 points in 29 starts and 109 sets played.

She also tallied seven assists, 20 service aces, 89 digs, 56 block assists and 65 total blocks.

Martinez ranked third on the team in total blocks and kills. She also had 16 matches with 10 or more kills.

She tallied a season-high 19 kills on Sept. 6 against Miles College. She matched her season-high once more against Alabama State on Oct. 22.

Defensively, Martinez posted a season-high seven total blocks against Rider on Sept. 19.

Martinez finished with 62 kills in 18 matches during her freshman season in 2024 while she also had 20 total blocks and 16 digs.

Apolinario on Martinez: "Nisaan possess a great sense of pride and commitment. Her physical traits should transfer smoothly to the SLC and should continue being a strength. She brings plenty of international experience and physical ability to play above the net."