ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University head women's volleyball coach Chris Nichols has announced the signing of two major transfers including 2018 NAIA First-Team All-American setter Manuela Vargas and a talented libero in Nathiellen Machado of Seward County Community College. Both student-athletes arrived in January and are already enrolled in classes at the University.
 
Vargas, who is a game-changing setter, is no stranger to the NAIA. After taking a year off, the 5-10 setter from Medellin, Colombia, will have one season of eligibility remaining with the Spartans. In 2018, Vargas appeared in 47 matches for Columbia College and finished the year with an NAIA-leading 1,667 assists, along with 317 digs, 47 service aces and 79 blocks. The postseason honors were abundant as she was named a First-Team NAIA All-American, NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team selection, AMC Setter of the Year, First-Team All-AMC and a five-time AMC Setter of the Week.
 
Prior to her time at CC, Vargas spent a year at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla. and helped lead her team to a fifth-place finish at the 2017 NJCAA DI Women's Volleyball National Championship. As a freshman, Vargas attended Miami Dade College where she helped lead her team to a 2016 NJCAA DI National Championship and was named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team, All-Southern Conference Second Team and NJCAA DI All-Tournament Team.
 
Machado arrives at MBU with two seasons of eligibility remaining. The 5-6 libero from Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil also took a one-year hiatus after spending two seasons at Seward County Community College. During her time at SCCC, Machado served as the Lady Saints' primary libero and played alongside current MBU Spartan and opposite hitter Giovanna Tapigliani. Leading the defense, Machado increased her average from 3.75 to 4.49 digs/set from her freshman to sophomore campaign.
 
The Brazilian libero is accustomed to playing winning volleyball as Seward County compiled a 65-9 overall record with Machado in the lineup. Between 2017 and 2018, the Lady Saints were a perfect 32-0 in conference matches.
 
On the awards circuit, Machado was named Honorable Mention All-KJCCC in 2018, Wrangler Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team (2017) and was a 3x Jayhawk West Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Stay tuned this spring as MBUSpartans.com introduces more additions to MBU women's volleyball recruiting class.