Baylor head volleyball coach Ryan McGuyre loaded up on freshmen, with six of the Bears’ seven newcomers for 2026 being first-year college players. A handful of the newbies were decorated prep players, including four who were in the top 10 of their respective states. Here’s a look at a couple of newcomers that could make an immediate impact.
1. Nadiya Johnson - Outside Hitter - Freshman
McGuyre dipped into the state of Virginia and grabbed the best player in the state in Johnson. She comes in as the top player in Baylor’s most recent recruiting class, ranked No. 38 in the country and the 21st-ranked outside hitter. Johnson came to Baylor as an Under Armor Next All-American and helped Riverside High School win the 2024 state championship. She was also on the U.S. U-19 National Team in that same year. The outside hitter position for Baylor will still be young, with just one upperclassman in MJ McCurdy, but talent will not be a question. Johnson comes in and can get some legit playing time on the other side of the net from All-Big 12 sophomore Kseniya Rakhmanchyk.
2. Lacy Tinnell - Middle Blocker - Freshman
Tinnell walks into a situation in Waco where playing time could be coming pretty early. Victoria Davis is the lone returner with significant playing time at middle blocker, and Tinnell has a highly qualified pedigree coming from College Park High School. She holds the program’s all-time kill record, to go with helping the Cavaliers make the 6A state semifinals in 2024. For her club team, Houston Skyline, she helped them win the 17 Open National Championships last summer. The six-foot-four newcomer was a first-team all-district selection all four seasons of high school and has been around plenty of winning. With just four middle blockers on the roster, it gives players like Tinnell an avenue to make an immediate impact.
3. Isabela Haggard - Setter - Sophomore
Haggard had a breakout year last year at Marquette, grabbing Big East Freshman of the Year honors. She averaged 9.32 assists per set and was also an All-Big East selection. She helped coordinate an offense that hit .257 in conference play, good for second in the Big East. The sophomore transferred in and brings an elite level of athleticism and jumping to a Baylor team that will have good depth at setter. Her Track & Field and gymnastics background makes her a high-level player and will compete with Harley Greek for substantial playing time.
Other notables: Freshman outside hitter Halle Bills, freshman Libero Julianna Hernandez
Baylor opens its season with the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic at 9 p.m. tonight (Friday) when they play (Rv.) San Diego at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI. The Bears then face off against former assistant coach-turned Hawaii head coach Joshua Walker on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning at midnight.
