Virtue Adds Two Transfers to 2025 Incoming Class
5/31/2025 12:00:00 PM | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan volleyball head coach Erin Virtue announced Saturday (May 31) the additions of transfers Jacyn Bamis and Sydney Schnichels for the 2025 campaign. Bamis spent the last two seasons at Hawai'i after two seasons at Clemson. Schnichels spent her previous two seasons at Minnesota.
"We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Jacyn to our Wolverine family," said Virtue. "Her competitive drive and experience at the highest level will bring a dynamic energy to our middle blocker position. What impresses me most is not just her technical skill, but her passion and energy will elevate everyone around. She embodies everything we value in our program, and I'm incredibly excited to see her impact both on and off the court."
"In Sydney, we're gaining an exceptional talent who has the ability to make a massive impact for Michigan volleyball," said Virtue. "Her competitive drive and excellent teammateship were exactly what we were looking for to strengthen our roster. Beyond her impressive playing ability, she brings a work ethic and passion that perfectly aligns with our team culture. I couldn't be more optimistic about what she'll accomplish in the maize and blue as we continue building toward our championship goals."
Bamis started at Clemson and redshirted her first season. In her second season with the Tigers, she played in 17 matches and 56 sets, totaling 108 points with 81 kills and 12 solo blocks. Bamis then transferred to Hawai'i and played in 12 sets her junior season, recording five kills on 11 attacks with two block assists. She saw almost a full season with the Rainbow Wahine in 2024, playing in 30 matches and 117 sets, and registered 262 kills on 596 attacks. She added 15 solo blocks and 67 block assists. Bamis earned All-Big West honorable mention and an Academic All-Big West selection in her final season at Hawaii.
The graduate transfer hails from Spokane, Wash., and was a three-year letterwinner at Gonzaga Prep. Bamis also earned two varsity letters in track and field and tallied 148 kills on a .300 hitting percentage in her senior season. She has an older brother who played football at the University of Idaho and a twin sister.
Schnichels was a two-year member at Minnesota but did not play her first season. She played in eight matches last season and tallied six kills, one assist, two digs and three block assists. Schnichels was a top recruit coming into college, ranking as the No. 20 overall player in the 2023 class by PrepVolleyball.com. She was the No. 1 overall recruit in Minnesota and No. 22 in the country on PrepDig's rankings.
The redshirt sophomore comes from Willmar, Minn., and Willmar Senior High where she was a four-year letterwinner. In her four seasons, Schnichels tallied 1,324 kills with 170 blocks, 697 digs and 106 aces. She has four younger siblings, and both parents were student-athletes at Augustana College.
Bamis and Schnichels will join two freshmen, Hannah Brady and Leni Stanton-Parker, and 13 returners for the 2025 season, which begins Aug. 30-31 in Cincinnati with matchups against Wake Forest and the Bearcats.
