Baylor welcomes trio of Class of 2025 recruits, from Solar SC, Sting Soccer and Canada

WACO, Texas – Baylor Soccer added three players to the 2025 recruiting class, it was announced by head coach Michelle Lenard.

The class features two Texas signees, one from Fall River, Nova Scotia.

“We are very excited about the addition of these three student-athletes,” Lenard said. “Each brings experience playing for championships, and a deep desire to help Baylor Soccer do the same.

Olivia Hess is a true playmaker who pulls the strings in the midfield and will improve our attack and goalscoring capacity. Emerson Garcia is a lockdown defender with incredible leadership skills and the ability to build the attack from the backline. Sierra Gallant is a tall, athletic goalkeeper who is an excellent shot-stopper and very good with her feet.

Most importantly, all three student-athletes represent the high character required to be a part of Baylor Soccer. They are amazing human beings, and they will fit right in with our team culture on day one.”

Emerson Garcia
Defender | Denton, Texas | Denton Guyer High School | Solar SC

Emerson Garcia signs with Baylor out of Denton, Texas, and Denton Guyer High School. She played club soccer for Solar SC under head coach Adrian Solca.

Garcia, as a three-year captain, helped lead her high school team to bi-districts in the high school playoffs and a 23-15-1 record. She was named the district 5-6A Defensive MVP in 2023 and was a first-team member of the TASCO All-Region team the same year.

She also helped her club team, Solar SC, to two ECNL National Championships in 2021 and 2023. Garcia was also a four-year ECNL Texas Conference Champion and a two-time ECNL All-Conference first-team member.

Off the field, Garcia graduated a year in the top 2% of her graduating class. She made Academic All-District and THSCH Academic All-State while participating in FCA and I am Second on campus.

Sierra Gallant
Goalkeeper | Fall River, Nova Scotia | Lockview High School | Suburban FC

Sierra Gallant, who attended Lockview High School in Fall River, Nova Scotia, signs with Baylor. She played club soccer for Suburban FC under head coach Oliver Hewish.

Gallant helped her team to the League 1 BC Championship for the Vancouver Whitecaps Women’s Elite in 2022, before placing fourth with Team Nova Scotia at the Toyota National Soccer Championship in 2023. After placing third with Team Nova Scotia at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, Gallant played for the Canadian Youth National Team where they placed second at the U15 Concacaf in 2022.

Off the field, the 6’1″ goalkeeper will be studying biochemistry at Baylor.

Olivia Hess
Midfielder | Prosper, Texas | Prosper High School | Sting Black 07/06 ECNL

Olivia Hess signs with Baylor out of Prosper, Texas, and Prosper High School. She played club soccer for Sting Black 07-06 ECNL under head coach Adam Flynn.

Hess helped lead her high school team to a State Championship during the 2023-24 school year and was named the state championship MVP. During that same season, Hess tallied 13 goals and 18 assists in her high school 26-2-2 season while making the TASCO All-State Midfielder first team, THSCA Super Elite Team and MVP, Texas District 5, Region 1 6A Midfield Player of the Year, all while serving at team captain and MVP.

As one of two freshmen on the varsity squad during the 2021-22 season, Hess made second-team all-district before making the first team in her sophomore campaign. She helped her high school team to a 62-6-9 overall record over three years.

Off the field, Hess made Academic All-District and volunteered for Grace Bridge and Prosper Summer Soccer Kids Camps.

2025 Baylor Soccer Signees

Emerson Garcia
Defender | Denton, Texas | Denton Guyer High School | Solar SC

Sierra Gallant
Goalkeeper | Fall River, Nova Scotia | Lockview High School | Suburban FC

Olivia Hess
Midfielder | Prosper, Texas | Prosper High School | Sting Black 07/06 ECNL