YSU Volleyball Secures Game-Changing Mid-Season Transfers: Welcoming Lester and Nordmann!

Youngstown, Ohio — The volleyball program at Youngstown State is thrilled to share that middle blockers Niyah Lester and Taya Nordmann will be joining the squad as mid-year transfers from NCAA Division I institutions. YSU’s head coach Riley Jarrett revealed the two latest Penguins on Thursday.

Lester, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, is a South Euclid, Ohio native who took a redshirt year at Ball State in the fall and has four remaining seasons of eligibility. Nordmann comes from DeWitt, Michigan, and the 6-foot-2 athlete began 29 matches in her freshman year at SIUE.

“We are eager to welcome two mid-year transfers as we prepare for the spring season,” Jarrett stated. “I have confidence that our staff has consistently done an excellent job in identifying the right kinds of student-athletes who will help elevate our Penguin Volleyball program.”

Lester and Nordmann will start their classes at Youngstown State once the spring semester starts on Monday. They will join November signees Kameron Blizniak, Kennedy Dawson, Layne Graffice, and Presley Stokes as fresh faces on the 2025 roster.

Position: Middle blocker

Hometown: South Euclid, Ohio

High School: Charles F. Brush

Previous School: Ball State University

Club: RockCity Volleyball Club

Coach Jarrett on Lester: Niyah is an incredible competitor when it comes to being on the court. She is going to infuse enthusiasm and drive into our team, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. She has the potential to become a formidable middle player in our league, and we are thrilled to have her as a Penguin!

Highlights: Lester was recognized as an all-conference athlete in both volleyball and softball at Charles F. Brush High School. She committed to Ball State in November 2023 and took a redshirt for the 2024 season. Lester participated in four seasons with RockCity Volleyball, the same club as her Penguin teammate Maria Insana, and contributed to her teams’ appearances at national tournaments. Her 16’s team reached the championship game and finished in second place with Lester receiving the MVP title. A consistent member of all-tournament teams and a participant of the Ohio All-Star team, she was ranked the ninth-best player in the state and third among middle blockers.

Position: Middle blocker

Hometown: DeWitt, Mich.

High School: DeWitt

Previous School: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Club: Legacy Volleyball Club

Coach Jarrett on Nordmann: Taya is someone I observed in high school, and she has continued to improve through her first season at SIUE. I believe she will be a significant blocking asset for us and will aid in the ongoing growth of our team culture. We are excited to embrace her competitive spirit as a Penguin!

Highlights: Nordmann started 29 of SIUE’s 30 matches as a true freshman in the 2024 season and ranked second in the Ohio Valley Conference with an average of 1.14 blocks per set. She recorded 14 blocks in a match against Southern Indiana, earning OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors in November, and concluded her freshman season with a total of 136 blocks, 123 kills, and 16 aces. Only one player across the nation achieved more than 14 blocks in a single match last season. Prior to her time as a Cougar, she received all-district and all-region distinctions while also being part of the Great Lansing All-State Team at DeWitt High School. In her senior year, Nordmann achieved 394 kills, 106 blocks, and 50 aces as DeWitt finished 10-2 in league play. She played for Legacy Volleyball Club, which secured ninth place at the AAU Nationals.