With just over a month remaining until the NCAA Women’s Volleyball season for 2023 begins, there is much speculation about whether Texas can emulate their dominant outing last year.
With 1600 points and a 28-1 record, Texas almost achieved an unblemished record during the 2022 term with great thanks to a handful of transfers in Zoe Fleck and Madi Skinner. As we’re reaching the end of the college volleyball offseason, today, we’ll preview the major transfers ahead of the 2023 season.
Temi Thomas-Ailara
Position: Outside Hitter
Transfer Details: Northwestern >> Wisconsin
Wisconsin enjoyed an excellent 2022 season with 1310 points and a 28-4 record. It wasn’t as emphatic as the 2021 season that saw them place 2nd, but the arrival of outside hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara could undoubtedly see them challenge for one of the top three rankings.
In 2022 while playing for Northwestern, Temi led the Big Ten statistics with 502 kills and second-best 4.33 kills per set. Northwestern struggled last term, and Temi often shone on the court, including a 25-kill game versus a #12 Purdue. She was obviously too talented for a struggling team and will fit right into the attacking nature of No.5-ranked Wisconsin.
Carter Booth
Position: Middle Blocker
Transfer Details: Minnesota >> Wisconsin
With the arrival of a top prospect outside hitter in Temi Thomas-Ailara, the Badgers additionally welcome a new Middle Blocker in Carter Booth.
Booth has many years ahead of her with an incredibly high ceiling. During her freshman season at Minnesota, she collected first-team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, AVCA All-North Region, and AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year honors. Not forgetting that she led Minnesota with 1.48 blocks per set, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and a top-10 position in the NCAA overall.
Mac Podraza
Position: Setter
Transfer Details: Ohio State >> Penn State
Following a decorated tenure at Ohio State, one of the most dominant setters in college volleyball will play her final season at Penn. She’s eligible to compete in the Big Ten for another season. She is an excellent addition to Penn, albeit just for twelve months, because Ohio’s rise to becoming a top-ranked team can give thanks to Podraza’s presence. Although her time at PSU won’t be long, she possesses the skills to assist the team in breaking the top-10 standings they just missed out on last season and will be carefully watched by avid NCAA volleyball bettors.
Podraza has long been a favorite for handicappers using Ohio sportsbooks, and with her arrival at PSU, we expect a similar outcome for those studying Penn lines.
Jess Mruzik
Position: Outside Hitter
Transfer Details: Michigan >> Penn State
Penn State has made two huge transfers ahead of the 2023 season, as Jess Mruzik – formerly Michigan – will join Podraza at PSU after averaging 4.19 points per set in 2022. With one of the best setters delivering balls (Podraza), Mruzik, who averaged 4.19 points per set last season, could challenge for one of the league’s top scorers. Under the tutelage of head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, this revamped PSU squad has the potential to become a top contender.
Kylie Murr
Position: Libero
Transfer Details: Ohio State >> Minnesota
With 4.69 digs per set for Ohio State during the 2022 season, Kylie Murr is among the most skilled liberos from the Big Ten or potentially the entire NCAA.
Murr’s arrival in Minnesota couldn’t come at a better time. The team has dealt with multiple issues during this offseason, including the loss of their head coach, Jenna Weenaas’s departure, and their superstar libero, CC McGraw, graduating.
Merritt Beason
Position: Outside Hitter
Transfer Details: Florida >> Nebraska
Husker Nation gave a Big Red welcome to Merritt Beason following a commendable 26-6 record from 2022 and a 9th-placed ranking.
The announcement earlier this year was unquestionably one of the biggest impacts, especially for Florida, as she helped them win a portion of the SEC championship as a sophomore – behind 3.35 kills per set and a .261 hitting percentage.
Beason will now compete in the Big Ten for the first time during her career, and this huge transfer out of the portal this season could arguably be the biggest impact move thus far.
