Class of 2026 Farewell Series: Libero/DS Who Kept the Game Alive

Defense is heart. It is sacrifice, anticipation, and the ruthless refusal to let the ball die. The Class of 2026 has produced some of the best defensive competitors we've seen in Georgia — athletes who turned momentum with a single dig and bought their teams the swing that changed everything.   These seniors have spent years mastering the unseen work — and now they take their final bow.    Faith is power with purpose. She hits in rhythm, reads the block early, and has become a go-to option when the ball is off-system. Her defensive discipline and vocal energy add layers beyond attacking. When Faith is on the floor, everyone plays bigger and that has been one of her greatest gifts. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Kennedi brings a heavy arm, clean vertical, and calm confidence to the court. She adjusts seamlessly — swinging with range when needed, attacking seams in chaos, and stepping into six-rotation responsibility without hesitation. Whether she's locked inside on defense or out scoring on the pin, Kennedi is steady, reliable, and built for the big moments. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Madison is pure energy. She turns tough sets into quality swings, competes through contact, and is constantly looking for ways to score. Her movement behind the ball is quick, her first contact is improving, and she plays with a spark that her teammates feed off of. She's the kind of outside whose presence ups the emotional tempo of an entire lineup. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     A poised and cerebral attacker, Claudia reads defenses with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. She takes what the block gives her. She brings power when there's a window, and finesse when the angle tightens. As a six-rotation contributor, she adds defensive trust, serve-receive balance, and court composure. Her game is polished, and her ceiling keeps rising. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Breanna brings grit to the left side. Her arm is live, and she consistently challenges blockers with swing speed and determination. She's active in transition, finds a rhythm early, and brings contagious competitiveness on every point. When rallies get chaotic, she stays aggressive. Shes the type of scorer every team wants operating front row. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     A strong attacker with natural timing, Ja'Rai brings a clean approach and confident point-scoring mentality. She follows plays well, stays aggressive in transition, and posts a physical block that pins must respect. Her cool-headed style makes her a dependable presence when rotations tighten and pressure rises. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast    They were the heartbeat of every great play — the first touch, the fearless dive, the reason their teammates could chase the final point.   The Class of 2026 backcourt specialists leave with a legacy of effort, control, and courage — and there will never be a scoreboard that fully captures what they meant to their teams.   Note to GA Athletes:   If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! Fill out the "Cover My Game" Link in my bio @benchtobeast on IG.   <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 @BenchtoBeast

Defense is heart.
It is sacrifice, anticipation, and the ruthless refusal to let the ball die. The Class of 2026 has produced some of the best defensive competitors we've seen in Georgia — athletes who turned momentum with a single dig and bought their teams the swing that changed everything.