Ariail was a key player for the Trojans each of the past two seasons

Mizzou Volleyball head coach Dawn Sullivan continues to add notable names in the transfer portal.

Former USC middle blocker Tyrah Ariail announced her commitment to the Tigers Sunday via Instagram. The Plano, Texas, native has been a regular starter for the Trojans each of the past two seasons, recording at least 140 kills and 100 total blocks in back-to-back years.

Ariail finished last season with 144 kills on a .340 hitting percentage and 114 total blocks, leading the team for the second straight year. She hit .320 with 222 kills and 115 total blocks in 2023, ranking 10th in the Pac 12 in that category.

Ariail is a redshirt senior and will use her last year of eligibility at Mizzou.

Let’s Meet Tyrah Ariail

• From: Plano, Texas
• Prior University: University of Southern California
• High School: Lebanon Trail High School
• Position: Middle Blocker
• Height: 6-1

Ariail is another SEC starting-level player for Mizzou and a big addition to the rotation after playing a large role at USC the past two seasons. She’s been highly effective playing in high major conferences her whole career and is a dual threat player at middle blocker.

Having efficient middle blockers was crucial to the Tigers’ offense last season— one of the best in the nation. Ariail fits this need like a glove after recording a .340 hitting percentage in 2024.

She also provides arguably the strongest blocking of any middle on the team, formerly ranking as one of the best in both the Pac 12 and the Big Ten – possibly the best volleyball conference in the country.

Blocking was one of the few clear weaknesses left on last year’s team by the end of the season. The staff has done wonders addressing the issue in the portal with Ariail and SLU transfer Trinity Luckett, two of the top middles available (and both possible targets I identified in a December portal check in article).

Ariail projects as a clear starter on this team. The question, of course, is how this will affect the incoming Luckett and returner Regan Haith. The trio has the potential to become a three headed monster in the middle, but each may see their playing time limited compared to last season.

Haith was also injured during last year’s NCAA Tournament and missed the regional semifinals match against Kentucky. Per a team spokesperson, “Regan Haith had a procedure to repair an injury she sustained during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. At the moment, her recovery is advancing nicely.”

The Tigers frequently went with one middle blocker on the floor at a time in 2024, bringing in Kiaraliz Perez Catala as a defensive specialist in the back row. This move might indicate a slight change in personnel strategy next season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see two middles on the floor more often.

There’s also the question of roster management; the team is currently three players over the new roster limit, so more departures will be coming.

But despite some of the questions Ariail’s addition brings up, one thing is also clear: the Tigers have substantially improved their blocking this offseason, and the middle blocker group as a whole. This coaching staff isn’t content to take a step back; Mizzou is determined to maintain its place in the top tier of what should be an ultra-competitive SEC this fall.

What they’re saying: