Volleyball Inks Five Transfers to 2026 Roster

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Volleyball Head Coach Jackie Simpson Kirr announced the signing of five midyear transfers in Anika Groom, Alyssa Irwin, Lina Merz, Talea Mitchell and Lauren Schneider to the 2026 roster on Friday. The pentad joined the Tigers after previously being members of the rosters at Georgia Tech, Saint Francis, South Carolina, San Diego State and Kansas State.

“From our recruiting conversations, it was clear there was strong alignment with our ‘Own Today’ mission of relentlessly pursuing excellence with this group,” said Simpson Kirr. “These newcomers have been shaped by competitive Division I environments and are fully committed to the work ahead as we continue to elevate Clemson as a program.”

Anika Groom · Pin Attacker · 6-1 · Orlando, Fla. · Georgia Tech · Bishop Moore HS

• Appeared in 12 matches for Georgia Tech
• Recorded a season-high 15 kills in 2025 vs. Georgia
• Picked up two aces against Bowling Green to add to her five during the season
• Clocked a season-high 12 digs against Arkansas State
• Had seven kills and seven digs in the match vs. Kansas
• Finished the season with 57 kills and 56 digs
• Added six blocks for the Yellow Jackets
• Saw action in over 300 sets while playing varsity at Bishop Moore HS
• Accumulated 899 kills (3.00 per set) and a .376 kill percentage at Bishop Moore HS
• Held a .849 serve percentage with 740 career aces in high school
• Finished her high school career with 106 total blocks, including 26 solo

Alyssa Irwin · Middle Hitter · 6-1 · Fort Lauderdale, Fla. · Saint Francis · Monarch HS

• Appeared in 43 matches at Saint Francis
• Accumulated 279 career kills, including 214 during the 2025 season
• Tallied 86 blocks during her time with the Red Flash
• Averaged 2.16 points per set in her two seasons at SFU (328 total points)
• Named NEC Rookie of the Week in 2024
• Helped Tribe Volleyball to earn an 18 Open National Championship
• Named to the AVCA Watch List in high school
• Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) Volleyball All Star
• Monarch HS Female Athlete of the Year

Lina Merz · Pin Attacker · 6-3 · Dresden, Germany · South Carolina · Sportgymnasium Dresden

• Did not see any time in her single season at South Carolina
• Played at the club level for VC Olympia Dresden since 2020-21
• Helped her team win the national U20 championship and Vice-Champion at the U18 level in 2022
• Finished third at the German U20 National Championship
• Finished second at the U20 National Championship
• Part of the youth development program at VCO Olympia Dresden

Talea Mitchell · Middle Hitter · 6-1 · Litchfield Park, Ariz. · San Diego State · Millennium HS

• Appeared in 51 matches and 178 sets for San Diego State
• Recorded 313 kills (1.76 per set) during her career
• Tallied 119 total blocks over the past two years, including 18 solo blocks
• Averaging 2.14 points per set with 381.5 total points as an Aztec
• Clocked a career-high 24 kills against Colorado State in 2024
• Notched six blocks against San Jose State in 2025
• Helped Aztecs clinch spot in the Mountain West Championship in 2024
• Led Millennium HS to a combined 126-25 record and a Conference 5A State Championship and three runner-up finishes
• Received AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Region 9 honors
• Named the 5A Desert West Selection co-Offensive Player of the Year after leading Millennium HS with a .429 hitting percentage and 98 blocks
• Helped Arizona Sky Volleyball Academy to a National Division Title at the 2024 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship

Lauren Schneider · Pin Attacker · 5-9 · Denton, Texas · Kansas State · Denton Guyer HS

• Appeared in 14 sets for the Wildcats
• Averaged 1.36 kills per set and finished with 19 kills at K-State
• Recorded 20 points during her career at Kansas State
• Finished with a career-high eight kills, four digs and one assist at Utah
• Clocked a block against Nevada and Iowa State
• Helped Guyer HS to 6A Regional Quarterfinal Championship
• Named 6A AVCA First Team Best & Brightest and to AVCA All-America Watch List in 2022
• Named First Team All-District 6A
• Three-time Academic All-District 6A selection
• Tabbed Second Team All-District 6A and Second Team All-Area 6A her junior year

The quintet of transfers will begin training with the Tigers in January in preparation for the 2026 fall slate alongside incoming freshman Maddie Anspaugh. For more information on Clemson Volleyball, follow the program on X and Instagram (@ClemsonVB).