News | Volleyball adds Fernandes and Laster to 2025 transfer class
06/11/2025 | 1:24:00 | Women's Volleyball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois Women's Volleyball added transfers Ainara Fernandes and Nevaeh Laster to its 2025 transfer class, the program announced Wednesday.
Fernandes joins the Salukis from Morgan State where she was a key outside hitter for the Bears. The Brazil native put down 167 kills during her junior season in 2023, including a season-high 12 against South Carolina State on Oct. 1. She began her career at Odessa College where she was an All-American Honorable Mention in 2022.
"Ainara is joining us as a grad transfer and will provide some more experience and depth on the pins," Head Coach Brittany Harry said. "I have a long knowledge of Ainara and her level of play back when she competed for Odessa College at the beginning of her college career in the U.S. She has a really high volleyball IQ and we will look for her to contribute immediately for us in Carbondale."
Fernandes also shined off the court, receiving a Student Award of Excellence at Odessa College and Morgan State, while making the Dean's List during her junior and senior seasons.
Nevaeh Laster will not have to move very far, transferring from John A. Logan College. The Mattoon, Ill., native tallied 167 kills and 129 blocks in two seasons with a .370 hitting efficiency. Her 2024 season was her most impressive she put down 126 kills and 98 blocks with a .384 efficiency.
"We are excited to add Neveah for some more depth in the middle," Harry said. "She had a really nice JUCO career down the street at John. A Logan where they went 51-16 in her two years there. She has a high athletic ceiling and when you couple that with the winning mentality she has that is a great recipe for success."
Her sister Ella plays volleyball at Rend Lake College in Jefferson County, Ill.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X (@SIU_Volleyball), Instagram (@SIU_Volleyball) and Facebook (SalukiVolleyball). Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.  Â
Fernandes joins the Salukis from Morgan State where she was a key outside hitter for the Bears. The Brazil native put down 167 kills during her junior season in 2023, including a season-high 12 against South Carolina State on Oct. 1. She began her career at Odessa College where she was an All-American Honorable Mention in 2022.
"Ainara is joining us as a grad transfer and will provide some more experience and depth on the pins," Head Coach Brittany Harry said. "I have a long knowledge of Ainara and her level of play back when she competed for Odessa College at the beginning of her college career in the U.S. She has a really high volleyball IQ and we will look for her to contribute immediately for us in Carbondale."
Fernandes also shined off the court, receiving a Student Award of Excellence at Odessa College and Morgan State, while making the Dean's List during her junior and senior seasons.
Nevaeh Laster will not have to move very far, transferring from John A. Logan College. The Mattoon, Ill., native tallied 167 kills and 129 blocks in two seasons with a .370 hitting efficiency. Her 2024 season was her most impressive she put down 126 kills and 98 blocks with a .384 efficiency.
"We are excited to add Neveah for some more depth in the middle," Harry said. "She had a really nice JUCO career down the street at John. A Logan where they went 51-16 in her two years there. She has a high athletic ceiling and when you couple that with the winning mentality she has that is a great recipe for success."
Her sister Ella plays volleyball at Rend Lake College in Jefferson County, Ill.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X (@SIU_Volleyball), Instagram (@SIU_Volleyball) and Facebook (SalukiVolleyball). Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.  Â
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