Volleyball | 8/7/2026 10:26:00 AM
DENTON, Texas (Aug. 7, 2026) - Texas Woman's Volleyball welcomes nine newcomers to the program ahead of the 2026 season, adding a combination of experienced transfers and talented freshmen to the Pioneer roster. The incoming class features five transfers and four freshmen with championship experience, all-state honors and a strong commitment to academics.
"I am excited to begin the season with this group. We have a great mix of experienced transfers who have competed at outstanding volleyball programs and talented freshmen who are eager to make their mark. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together as we build something special at Texas Woman's University," Head Coach Phil Evans said.
Bailey Black, a sophomore setter from North Richland Hills, Texas, joins the Pioneers after graduating from Richland High School and spending the fall 2025 semester at Ranger College. Black earned First Team All-District honors while also being recognized as an Academic All-District selection. She finished in the top 10 percent of her graduating class, earned a Who's Who Award and graduated Cum Laude while competing for Texas Image Volleyball Club. Black plans to major in nursing at TWU.
Melanie Guevara, a sophomore outside hitter from Rockwall, Texas, transfers to TWU after beginning her collegiate career at Nicholls State after competing at Rockwall High School and with Dallas Skyline Volleyball Club. Guevara will major in biology while pursuing her goal of a career in medicine. Outside of volleyball, she has dedicated time to serving her community through the National Charity League and completed more than 120 hours of hospital shadowing, experiences that helped strengthen her passion for healthcare.
Teagan Hill, a junior outside hitter from Longview, Texas, brings championship experience to the Pioneer program. Hill previously competed at Arlington Baptist, where she helped lead the program to the 2024 NCCAA Division II National Championship. During that season, she earned NCCAA First Team All-America, AVCA First Team All-America, All-Tournament Team and Southwestern Region Most Valuable Player honors. She later spent the 2025 season at Stephen F. Austin. A Hallsville High School graduate, Hill also earned Texas Sports Writers Association First Team All-State and Blue Bell First Team All-State recognition. She will major in biology.
Mary Grace King, a sophomore outside hitter from Fort Worth, Texas, joins the Pioneers after spending her freshman season at West Texas A&M. A Southwest Christian School graduate, King earned First Team All-District honors three times and First Team All-State recognition twice during her high school career. She recorded more than 1,000 career kills while helping lead her team to the UIL State Final Four as a senior. During her club career with Athletic Performance Volleyball, King helped her team win the USA Volleyball Northeast Qualifier Championship and earn a bid to the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. She plans to major in fashion merchandising with a minor in marketing.
Trinity McDaniel, a sophomore outside hitter from Fort Worth, Texas, transfers to TWU after spending her freshman season at Bethune-Cookman. The North Crowley High School graduate earned Second Team All-District honors during her high school career while also being recognized as an Academic All-District and Academic All-State selection. McDaniel competed for NRG Volleyball Club and will major in kinesiology.
Kaysie Nabors, a sophomore middle blocker from Frankston, Texas, joins the Pioneers after competing at Trinity Valley Community College. Nabors earned Blue Bell First Team All-State honors and was named District 19-2A Most Valuable Player during her time at Fankston High School. She helped lead her team to a regional finals appearance while also qualifying for the state championships in track and field. Nabors earned Academic All-State recognition from 2023-25 and plans to major in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science and pre-physical therapy.
Charlise Smith, a freshman right-side hitter from Southlake, Texas, joins the Pioneers after a successful career at Carroll Senior High School. Smith helped lead Carroll to the 2025 UIL Class 6A Division II state championship while also earning District 4-6A honorable mention recognition in 2024 and 2025. She competed for Texas Image and Integrity Volleyball Club, helping her teams capture multiple USA Volleyball national championships. Smith was also named a THSCA Academic All-State honoree and ACVA Best and Brightest recipient. She will major in business.
Montserrat Soto-Talavera, a freshman middle blocker from El Paso, Texas, comes to TWU after attending Juniata College during the fall semester. Soto-Talavera starred at Eastwood High School, where she earned First Team All-District honors twice, was named Outstanding Middle Blocker and earned El Paso Times All-City recognition. She was also selected Second Team All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association during her senior season. A two-time varsity captain, Soto-Talavera helped Eastwood capture a district championship and bi-district titles while earning Academic All-State honors. She plans to major in psychology.
Allie Watson, a freshman setter from Van Alstyne, Texas, joins the Pioneers after competing at Legacy Christian Academy and with Frisco Flyers, Tejas and 1United Volleyball Club. Watson earned First Team All-District honors multiple times during her time at Legacy Christian Academy - Frisco and was named District Setter of the Year in 2023. She later earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition during her senior season. Watson also helped lead her softball team to a 2022 state championship and earned TAPPS Academic All-State honors. She will major in kinesiology with a pre-physical therapy concentration.
With the addition of the 2026 newcomer class, the Pioneers look to build chemistry and continue developing under Evans as they prepare for the upcoming season.
-PIONEERS-
