McNeese Beach Volleyball
 
LAKE CHARLES—History will be made in 2024 when McNeese introduces Beach Volleyball as a NCAA sport and with that said head coach Yasmin Tan has announced her inaugural recruiting class that consists of seven student-athletes.
 
"I am thrilled to announce seven incoming student-athletes who will make up our inaugural beach volleyball signing class in program history," said head coach Yasmin Tan.  "Throughout the recruiting process, it has been awesome to speak with so many young athletes across the country who are excited about the growth of NCAA beach volleyball and the opportunities at McNeese. This inaugural class was all about recruiting student-athletes committed to growth, learning, and community as we lay the foundation of our program for years to come. I cannot wait to introduce this team and our sport to the Lake Charles community and McNeese fanbase as we get to work this Fall."
 
Tan's inaugural class consists of one Cowgirl moving over to the sand from indoor volleyball, three transfers and three freshmen.
 
Moving over from indoor volleyball is senior Nadia Manitzas who played in 18 matches last season and was credited with 12 assists, five service aces, and 62 digs. 
 
The transfers include Jolie Savoie and Harlee Tupper from Southeastern and Luciana Chuong from Nicholls.  The freshmen are Rylee Lansing (Friendswood, TX.), Emily Koetsier (St. Joseph, Michigan), and Kaylene Gohmann (Elmwood Park, Illinois).
 
NADIA MANITZAS (SENIOR)
• Native of San Antonio, Texas (Reagan High)
• Spent the 2022 season as a member of the Cowgirl indoor volleyball team
• Played in 18 matches and was credited with 62 digs and four assists
• Played at St. Mary's in San Antonio, Texas before coming to McNeese
• Third on the team with 23 service aces and fourth with 192 digs
• Average of 2.18 digs per set her sophomore season
• Tied for the team lead with 12 service aces and averaged 1.97 digs per set as a Freshman
• Named to the Lone Star Spring Commissioner's Honor Roll twice

HIGH SCHOOL
• Three-time All-District
• Helped lead the Rattlers to back-to-back Co-District Championships
• Graduated Cum Laude
 
 
JOLIE SAVOIE (SOPHOMORE)
• Native of Lake Charles (St. Louis Catholic High)
• Transfer from Southeastern
• Appeared in two matches in 2023
• Named to the SLC Commissioner's Honor Roll (2022)
• Daughter of former Cowgirl Soccer head coach Scooter Savoie and former McNeese softball assistant coach Stephanie (Byrge) Savoie
 
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played both softball and volleyball
• Earned a pair of all-district honors in volleyball in addition to being named to the Louisiana all-academic squad
• Played club volleyball for Acadiana Juniors, Cajun Elite and Zona Volleyball Club
 
 
HARLEE TUPPER (SOPHOMORE)
• Native of Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City High)
• Transfer from Southeastern
• Played in 10 matches as a freshman in 2023
 
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played indoor volleyball, tennis, & softball for the Cardinals
• Named County MVP & District MVP in 2021 & 2022 for volleyball
• Named MVP of All-Star Game
• Named All-State in volleyball
• Team captain of the volleyball team for three seasons
• Member of the student council
 

LUCIANA CHUONG (SOPHOMORE)
• Native of Bridge City, Texas
• Transfer from Nicholls
• Part of the No. 2 pair where she played in 21 matches
 
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played for Houston Stars volleyball club as a libero in 2017-2019
• MVP in 2020 as a sophomore
• Won state in the Dallas Classic Tournament
• Member of the National Championship team for the National Christian Homeschool Volleyball Championships (NCHVC), which consisted of 90 teams
• Received defensive player of the year award and again as a senior, helping her team to fourth place at nationals.
• Transferred after her junior year to play full-time beach in 2021
• Team placed third in the BVNE Juniors Tournament her senior year
• Played golf for one year (2021)
 
 
RYLEE LANSING (FRESHMAN)
• Native of Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood High)
• Member of two district championship teams
• Team Co-Captain and Co-MVP as a freshman
• Two-time all-district
• Played Beach for Gulf Coast Volleyball Association (2022-23)
• Played indoor for Absolute Volleyball Academy (2021, 2022)
• Member of the 2021and 2022 (22-5A) Academic all-district teams
• Member of the 2021 and 2022 GHVCA Academic team
• Academic All-State (2022)
 
 
EMILY KOETSIER (FRESHMAN)
• Native of Saint Joseph, Michigan (Saint Joseph High)
• Team Captain (3 years)
• Two-time Academic All-State
• Two-time MVP
• Second team all-conference, best offense and captain as a senior
 
 
KAYLENE GOHMANN (FRESHMAN)
• Native of Elmwood Park, Illinois (Elmwood Park High)
• Two-year letterwinner
• Two-time all-conference
• Played club for Adversity 18 Purple, Adversity 17 Black, First Alliance 15 Sky
 
 
2024 McNeese Beach Volleyball Signees
Nadia Manitzas- Sr., San Antonio, Texas
Jolie Savoie- So., Lake Charles/Southeastern
Harlee Tupper- So., Bridge City, Texas/Southeastern
Luciana Chuong- So., Bridge City, Texas/Nicholls
Rylee Lansing- Fr., Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood High
Emily Koetsier- Fr., Saint Joseph, Michigan/Saint Joseph High
Kaylene Gohmann- Fr., Elmwood Park, Illinois/Elmwood Park High