OKLAHOMA CITY — If you’re watching the Women’s College World Series finals, you’re likely going to hear a lot of talk about the number of transfers the Texas Tech softball team has on its roster.
When Gerry Glasco took over as head coach in June 2024 (after previous head coach Craig Snider left to be an assistant at Tennessee) just three players on the 2024 roster decided to stick around. That meant Glasco had to hit the transfer portal hard to fill out the roster for 2025, which resulted in coming one game short of the national championship.
The Red Raiders didn’t stop there, attacking the transfer portal with voracity to bring in an array of high-caliber players to Lubbock. They’ve collectively gotten Texas Tech back into the championship.
Here’s where each of the Red Raiders’ top players began their college careers before linking up at Texas Tech.
NiJaree Canady transferred from Stanford
NiJaree Canady was the first major transfer portal addition for Glasco, coming to Lubbock on a record-setting NIL deal. Canady spent the first two years of her career at Stanford, where she won just about every major softball award possible. She did the same in her first year in Lubbock and was a second-team NFCA All-American in 2026.
Mihyia Davis, Lauren Allred, Victoria Valdez and Chloe Riassetto transferred from Louisiana
Five players joined Glasco in Lubbock from his time as head coach at Louisiana. Alexa Langeliers was the second baseman on last year’s team and exhausted her eligibility while Mihyia Davis, Lauren Allred, Victoria Valdez and Chloe Riassetto all returned to Tech this year. Davis starts in center field, Allred in right and Valdez splits duties at catcher. Riassetto is a pitcher but hasn’t been utilized as much this season.
Kaitlyn Terry transferred from UCLA
One of three players who competed in the WCWS last year to join Texas Tech out of the transfer portal, Kaitlyn Terry moved from UCLA to Texas Tech to be the Red Raiders’ No. 2 pitcher. She’s done more than that, earning career marks at the plate en route to be a first-team All-American as a two-way player.
Mia Williams transferred from Florida
The daughter of Denika and Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, former star athletes at Florida, Mia Williams followed their lead to begin her career, spending two years with the Gators. She was a second-team All-American as a sophomore and improved all of her offensive numbers this season to earn the same distinction.
Taylor Pannell transferred from Tennessee
Another former All-American from the SEC to join Texas Tech last summer was Taylor Pannell, who left Tennessee to join the Red Raiders. Pannell spent three years in Knoxville (one as a medical redshirt) before coming to Texas Tech.
Jasmyn Burns transferred from Ohio State
Jasmyn Burns was the first to commit to Texas Tech out of the transfer portal last summer, announcing her decision the day after the final game of the title series. She, too, was an All-American at Ohio State before coming to Texas Tech, where she has appeared in the WCWS for the first time.
Jackie Lis transferred from Southern Illinois
Few thought Jackie Lis would be among the most notable transfer additions last year but the Southern Illinois transfer has put together a career year. Lis spent three years at SIU primarily playing the middle infield (she now plays first for Tech) and battling her aunt Becky for SIU hitting records.
Lagi Qurioga transferred from Cal
Quiroga was one of the last transfer additions last summer, joining Texas Tech after two years at Cal, the last of which saw her earn first-team All-ACC as a catcher. She splits duties with Burns and Valdez.
Desirae Spearman transferred from New Mexico State
A native of El Paso, Desirae Spearman returned to her home state after two years at New Mexico State, where she was among the best two-way players in the country. Spearman has been used primarily in the outfield and hitting rather than pitching.
Hailey Toney, Logan Halleman have always been Red Raiders
Logan Halleman was one of the three players who opted to return to Texas Tech when Glasco took over as head coach. She’s been used as a slap-hitting speedster with a steady glove in the outfield. Hailey Toney, likewise, committed to Texas Tech out of high school and stayed true to the Red Raiders after Snider, who recruited and signed her, left town.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Where did Texas Tech softball players transfer from? Where it began
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY Network
