The University of Minnesota volleyball program has announced the additions of setter Georgia Lee (Phoenix, Ariz./Rutgers) and middle blocker Lourdès Myers (Alliance, Ohio/Purdue). Lee will have two years to play in the Maroon and Gold while Myers will have one. Both will be on campus and enrolled in school for the spring semester.
“We are going to continue to be active, intentional and responsible in our transfer portal opportunities,” said head coach Keegan Cook. “It’s a strategy that has given us the opportunity to add some incredible student-athletes to the program. Kylie Murr, Phoebe Awoleye, Lydia Grote, Kali Engeman, Alex Acevedo and Kate Thibault all joined this program in our first two seasons and have found tremendous success. We believe Georgia Lee and Lourdes Myers are next in that line and are exactly who we needed for this year’s team. From playing in the Big Ten, each brings high-level experience and has the potential for mentorship for our incoming freshman class.”
Lee, who played her first two years of college at Rutgers, appeared in 29 combined matches in 2023 and 2024. She averaged 2.05 assists, 0.14 aces and 0.56 digs per set in 77 sets played. She played in 23 matches this past fall (62 sets) with starts against No. 16 USC, UCLA, Michigan State and No. 8 Purdue.
“Being a Golden Gopher has always been a dream of mine,” Lee said. “My family and I love the state of Minnesota and try to spend every summer there. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such an elite and amazing program!”
In 2024, Lee totaled double-digit assists in seven matches, including six times in Big Ten play. She set career-highs in assists (24) and digs (7) in a match at Michigan State on Nov. 8. Lee tallied aces in seven matches and had 20+ assists twice.
“Finding a setter to join us was one of our two priorities this offseason,” said Cook. “With the graduations of Melani [Shaffmaster] and Elise [McGhie], we saw a decade of setting experience exit our gym. When we outlined all of the specific traits we were looking for in a setter in this transfer period, we were not confident that person existed. Georgia Lee emailed us the very next day. In Georgia, we found everything on our list and more. She is an outstanding competitor and a mature student-athlete that has enthusiasm and passion for the University of Minnesota.”
Lourdès Myers, a middle blocker from Alliance, Ohio, comes to the ‘U’ with one year of eligibility left. She spent four years at Purdue, redshirting in 2021 before playing from 2022-24. She helped the Boilermakers make Sweet 16s in 2023 and 2024 after they went to the Round of 32 in 2022.
“Timing is everything and I feel fortunate to be in this position with one year left to play,” Myers said. “The opportunity to represent Minnesota is something I’m truly excited about. The program has such a proud tradition and its history speaks for itself. It’s built on success and championships and that’s the bar we’re aiming for. I know my role as a player and I have no doubt that I will execute it. Go Gophers!”
Statistically, Myers averaged 1.31 kills (.342), 1.0 blocks and 0.24 digs per set in her three years in West Lafayette. She had her best season in 2024, hitting .356 with 1.28 kills and 1.06 blocks per set. Myers posted four-or-more blocks 16 times and six-or-more blocks four times this past season. She earned five-or-more kills in 17 matches. She ranked 25th in the Big Ten in blocks per set this past season.
“Lourdès Myers was our top focus in the transfer portal period as soon as she entered,” said Cook. “We were familiar with her as a competitor and we were eager to learn about the person behind the player. We quickly gathered that she is a tremendously hard-working young person who has persevered and improved every year of her career. Most importantly, she still has the physical potential and desire to learn and be coached. We are thrilled to bring Lourdès and the University of Minnesota together for the final season of her career.”
As a junior in 2023, Myers registered 1.46 kills (.333) and 0.98 blocks per set. She posted 17 matches with 5+ kills, including a career-high 11 against Indiana. The standout middle blocker earned 5-or-more blocks 10 different times.
In 2024, Minnesota went 21-11 (13-7 Big Ten) and went to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32. The Gophers finished No. 18 in the final AVCA rankings and won an NCAA Tournament match for the 10th straight season. It finished sixth in the conference standings in year two under head coach Keegan Cook.
The Gophers lost five seniors to graduation in defensive specialist Skylar Gray, middle blocker Phoebe Awoleye, opposite Lydia Grote and setters Elise McGhie and Melani Shaffmaster. In addition to Lee and Myers, Minnesota is set to bring in four true freshmen for the 2025 season to complete their 18-player roster.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
