In 2022, an estimated 13 percent of all Division I athletes across all sports entered the transfer portal, per the NCAA website.
The portal, used by college athletes and programs alike, has streamlined the process of college athletes switching between different schools. As a Power Four program, Iowa has been a destination for many of these athletes, such as quarterback Mark Gronowski, guard Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright, and, after three years playing softball at Fresno State, pitcher Serayah Neiss.
“I honestly fell in love with Iowa,” Neiss said. “I really enjoyed the culture and community here and decided to transfer. It’s been so much fun.”
After a 2025 season that saw Neiss garner such accolades as Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, the pitcher followed her head coach Stacy May-Johnson, now in her first year in the same role at Iowa.
When Neiss discovered May-Johnson’s move, the pitcher wanted a shot to prove herself at the Big Ten level. May-Johnson, making her head coaching debut in the conference herself, was quick to praise Neiss for her competitiveness and skill.
“She’s got a lot of high intangibles,” May-Johnson said. “I think that a lot of what has gotten her to where she is are those intangibles. She could always spin the ball. She spins the ball really, really well, and that’s nothing new. She’s been able to do that for many, many years. But she just finds a way to get better and keeps improving.”
May-Johnson, a former collegiate player herself at Iowa from 2003-2006, also credited Neiss’s strength as a teammate, an underrated quality in today’s collegiate sports landscape with student-athlete compensation.
“She really just wants everybody to be super successful,” May-Johnson said. “She’s everybody’s biggest fan. She’s really excited for everybody’s successes on the field, which is really cool and, quite honestly, can be rare in this day and age.”
Neiss’ pitching prowess has contributed to a team-high seven wins this season, as of March 24.
The left-hander holds a 4.22 earned run average and has struck out a team-high 42 batters over 59 and 2/3 innings pitched.
Junior Avery Sapp ranks just behind Neiss in wins and strikeouts, and said her older teammate defines herself by her attitude.
“I admire her kindness,” Sapp said. “She’s a very kind person. She’s always very happy and happy-go-lucky, and really supports her teammates.”
Sapp also noted the strong relationship between herself and Neiss, both athletes sharing playing time in the circle for the Hawkeyes, who rank ninth in the Big Ten with a 4.08 earned run average.
The chemistry between Neiss and Sapp, Iowa’s top two starters this season in terms of games played, are a factor to such success.
“We have a great relationship,” Sapp said. “We’re a good matchup, and I think we love pitching together. We have the same goals for each other.”
While Neiss’ inaugural season as a Hawkeye marks her last year of eligibility, the senior has loved the support from Iowa’s fanbase, who display their loyalty in a variety of ways.
“Everywhere you go, there’s Hawkeye flags or banners or stickers, even license plates,” Neiss said. “Fresno State had a fantastic fan base, but I would say that Iowa’s just as good in that you feel truly supported everywhere you go, which is just so incredible.”
Neiss’ Iowa playing career is confined to one season, but her objectives focus beyond.
She aims to leave the program in a better place as a member of the first senior class under May-Johnson. Even though she is the only member of the group who arrived from a different school, her commitment to the future of the Iowa program remains the same.
“I’m really excited,” Neiss said. “I’m going to continue to just keep working hard for them and doing what I can, hopefully leaving this season with leaving it all out there on the field and having so much fun along the way.”