Rising Stars to Watch – Big South 2025

These girls may be younger or newer to the spotlight, but their talent, work ethic, and court presence demand attention. Watch out for these rising stars.     Makenna may be smaller in stature, but she has a huge presence on the court. She's coachable, scrappy, and extremely smart with the ball. Her hustle and communication make her a reliable and exciting young setter. Don't let her height fool you — Makenna has hops, hustle, and heart. She puts up a big block, gets her feet to the ball, delivers smart sets, and plays scrappy defense. She's coachable and composed, showing early signs of a true floor leader. Makenna showed an advanced level of focus and responsiveness for her age. Her growth from day one to day three was impressive — quicker transitions, stronger communication, and smarter decisions with every match. Makenna has a tireless hustle, she plays with intensity. She's coachable, communicates well, and leads confidently. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Elizabeth plays with awareness beyond her years. Every time her coach offered guidance, she nodded, adjusted, and delivered. She's a quick learner with a natural feel for the game and a strong wrist snap. A high-ceiling athlete with a team-first attitude. Elizabeth plays with high IQ and agility. Her defense is sharp, her block timing is excellent, and she adjusts quickly under pressure. Elizabeth's level of play is advanced for her age. Her movement in transition is smooth and fast. She adjusts quickly in defense and delivers consistent blocks and wrist-snap swings. She's a learner and a fighter. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Kinsey never takes a play off. She hustles down every pass, takes charge of her offense, and brings solid back-row defense. Her vocal leadership makes her a key presence. Kinsey played like her sneakers were on fire. She chased down every pass, set on the run, defended hard in the back row, and never took a moment off. A 6-rotation setter with defensive grit, a loud voice, and relentless movement — she's a floor general with fire. Kinsey hustles down every ball and works hard for her team. She sets with confidence, defends fearlessly, and brings vocal encouragement. A gritty, six-rotation athlete with leadership written all over her. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Alyssa is a focused outside hitter who sees the whole court. Her swings are strategic, and she can attack from anywhere. Her defense and transition work are clean, and she brings a calm intensity to every point. Alyssa's volleyball IQ was showing all weekend. She passed dimes, hit with vision, and adjusted to the defense mid-play. Her ability to swing from anywhere on the court and her clean defensive reads make her one of the most dependable athletes in her division. Alyssa is a focused player with a smooth swing and great vision. She finds the holes on the court and moves with balance and confidence. Her serve receive is solid, and she's willing to take charge. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Moreno wasn't just defending — she was leading. Her court awareness and communication kept her team steady through tight matches. She's quick, confident, and one of those liberos who controls the tempo behind the 10-foot line. Her voice is loud, her reads are sharp, and her teammates follow her lead. Emilia is a libero who leads by example. She navigates the court with control, communicates constantly, and digs with authority. Her confidence in the back row gives her team stability and spark. Her platform is solid, and she navigates the court with precision. A confident libero who organizes her team from the back. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     With a powerful swing and smart decisions, Sophia knows how to hit around or through the block. Her defense is active, and she stays vocal throughout the point. A strong two-way player. This right side hitter brings fast swings and a powerful follow-through. Her vertical is explosive, and she adjusts around the block well. She's a vocal teammate who encourages during and after every point. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following <a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchtobeast/">BenchtoBeast</a> for exclusive Georgia content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</h3>   We're on a mission to spotlight talent, uplift families, and bring the volleyball community closer than ever! Huge shoutout to our amazing subscribers — you're the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you for your help growing the game, and making every moment unforgettable. The best is yet to come — let's get it!   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   Building bridges between hustle and opportunity — that's the power of this community! ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtBeast

These girls may be younger or newer to the spotlight, but their talent, work ethic, and court presence demand attention. Watch out for these rising stars.