Georgia Southern volleyball has added a pair of transfers to their roster, head coach Chad Willis announced.
Outside hitter Kayla Knowles (Houston) and middle blocker Lydia Seymour (TCU) are joining the squad as reinforcements for the spring and upcoming 2024 regular season.
"Excited to be building off the momentum of the 2023 season and we're looking forward to the depth and experience Kayla and Lydia bring with them," Willis said. "Anytime you can add quality, talented additions to your roster along with coming from two high-level programs competing in the NCAA tournament, it's a great sign of where we're at as a program and how we continue to build towards a Sun Belt championship."
Kayla Knowles
Freshman
Outside Hitter | 6'0
Denver, Iowa | Denver HS
University of Houston
2023 AT HOUSTON: Did not appear in any matches for the Cougars.
HIGH SCHOOL: 2022 North Iowa Cedar League Player of the Year... Tallied 1,643 kills in her high school career, including 646 in her senior season where she tallied a .336 hitting percentage and broke the school's single-season kill record... Recorded 159 blocks over her four seasons at Denver High School under coach Jamie Johnson... In her senior season, helped Denver post a 36-11 record to reach the Iowa Class 2A Quarterfinals, finishing second in Class 2A in kills... Aided in Denver's run to the Class 2A State Championship Game in her sophomore year... Class 2A State Semifinals in her junior season... Class 2A Region 7 finals in her freshman season... Four-time all-conference selection... Earned first-team honors in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons... Two-time all-state selection... Named one of the top 10 2023 recruits in Iowa by Prep Digs.
PERSONAL: Played club volleyball for Club Iowa Junior… Daughter of Rich and Kendra Knowles… has two siblings, Camren and Colin… major is exercise science.
FROM CHAD WILLIS: "Kayla is a dynamic attacker who brings immediate depth and point-scoring ability to our pin position group. Our staff's familiarity with Kayla as she went through her original process was a big factor in getting her to Statesboro, a high character and driven individual. We will lean on Kayla's experience coming from a Top 25 program and are excited to add her competitive presence and athleticism to our gym."
Lydia Seymour
Freshman
Middle Blocker | 6'5
Justin, Tex. | Northwest HS
TCU
2023 AT TCU: Appeared in nine matches in her rookie campaign… Posted her first career block against No. 7 Minnesota (Aug. 25)… Recorded another block at No. 2 Wisconsin (Aug. 26)… Led TCU with five blocks in TCU's 3-1 win over North Florida (Sept. 2)… Made her first two career starts, both against Texas Tech (Sept. 28-29)… Tallied a season-best four kills and a block in TCU's 3-2 win over the Red Raiders (Sept. 29).
HIGH SCHOOL: Played middle blocker at Northwest High School… Amassed 352 kills and 122 total blocks in her senior season… Named District MVP, TCGA All-State and First Team All-Area honors… Named to the THSCA Volleyball Class 5A Elite Team and nominated for the VYPE Houston Player of the Year award… Earned All-District recognition in 2021 after posting 110 kills and 34 blocks.
PERSONAL: Played club volleyball for Tejas Volleyball… Named Academic All-District all four years… Also tabbed to the Academic All-State team… Daughter of Chris Seymour, and Mike and Teresa Schnoes… Has three siblings, Corbin, Drew and Griffin… psychology major.
FROM CHAD WILLIS: "Lydia adds great physicality and balance in the middle. One of our priorities defensively is to own the net, we feel confident Lydia will step in and be a great addition to our blocking scheme while also being an offensive threat. Lydia has valuable training and playing experience at a high level and we're looking forward to adding her personality, love for the game, and work ethic to our gym and locker room."
