The Handoff: Six Georgia Players Ready to Take Over This Fall

Every high-school season ends with a handoff.   Senior leaders graduate. Proven scorers leave behind touches that must be redistributed. Setters inherit new hitters, defenders take control of larger areas of the court and athletes who once played supporting roles suddenly become central to everything their teams want to accomplish.   That transition is one of the most interesting parts of previewing a new season.   The players below are not entering the fall without experience. Each has already produced in meaningful ways. What changes now is the weight attached to that production. Their teams may need more points, more leadership, more stability or a stronger presence during the moments that decide close matches.   These six Georgia athletes appear ready to receive the handoff.    Ava finished her junior season with 62 total blocks, the second-highest total on Alpharetta's roster. She played behind senior middle Audrey Simpson, who led the team with 76 blocks and a .386 hitting percentage, leaving an important front-row role available after graduation.   Ava now has an opportunity to become the middle presence opposing offenses must account for first. Her impact will depend on more than block totals. Alpharetta will need her to track setters, close space at the pins, transition consistently and become a dependable offensive option before blocks can organize. If she embraces that expanded responsibility, she could help redefine how the Raiders control the net. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Valentina recorded 247 digs and averaged 2.4 digs per set during her junior season, finishing behind senior libero Grayson Taylor in Norcross' defensive production. With Taylor graduating after leading the Blue Devils with 475 digs, the backcourt will need another player prepared to assume greater control.   That opening gives Valentina the chance to become more than a reliable defender. The libero or defensive leader must organize seams, direct serve receive and provide emotional stability after difficult points. Her previous production shows that she can handle meaningful defensive volume. The upcoming season will reveal whether she can transform that experience into command of the entire backcourt. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Addy quietly assembled one of Georgia's most complete sophomore stat lines. She directed Lanier's offense with 540 assists while adding 229 digs, 123 kills and a team-high 61 aces. Those numbers reflect a setter who influenced nearly every phase of the match rather than disappearing after the second contact.   With experienced seniors departing, Addy has an opportunity to become the defining voice of Lanier's next lineup. She will be responsible for building connections with returning and emerging attackers, maintaining confidence when first contact breaks down and deciding when to create offense herself. Her next season could show how quickly a skilled setter can turn individual versatility into team identity. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Sydney already played an important role for the defending Class 5A champions, recording 207 kills, 231 digs and 269 receptions as a sophomore. She ranked second on Woodward Academy in kills and digs per set, showing that her value extended well beyond attacking.   The upcoming season may ask Sydney to become more assertive within an offense losing senior production. That means handling tougher serving assignments, receiving more out-of-system opportunities and finding ways to score after opponents begin preparing specifically for her. She has already shown she can contribute to a championship lineup. The next challenge is demonstrating how much of that lineup she can help lead. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Addison's sophomore production showed the foundation of a complete six-rotation outside. She finished with 210 kills and 212 digs while handling 403 serve-receive attempts, the highest reception total on Walton's roster. She was also second on the team in kills per set and digs per set.   Walton will graduate several experienced contributors, creating room for Addison's responsibilities to expand. Her ability to remain involved through passing, defense and transition gives the Raiders more than a replacement attacker. She could become one of the players who connects the entire system, providing the first contact that starts the offense and the final swing that finishes it. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Ashley was already one of Hebron Christian's most productive attackers last season, leading the team with 382 kills and averaging 3.8 kills per set. She also hit an efficient .441 and delivered 63 aces, proving she could create pressure from both the front row and service line.   The next step is becoming an even more recognizable centerpiece within a lineup filled with talent. Ashley has the opportunity to establish the rhythm of matches through aggressive serving, controlled first contact and reliable attacking when opponents know where the ball is going. The handoff is not simply about receiving more sets—it is about becoming the player her team trusts when the situation becomes predictable and the point still has to be earned. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga    Young players are often described as being next.   Next in the rotation. Next on the depth chart. Next in line to lead.   Eventually, “next” becomes now.   Ashley, Addison, Sydney, Addy, Valentina and Ava have already shown they can contribute to successful varsity programs. The upcoming season will ask each of them to provide something larger—whether that means carrying more offensive responsibility, directing a lineup, controlling the backcourt or becoming the central presence at the net.   The most important players next fall may not be the athletes attempting to recreate what graduated seniors accomplished.   They may be the ones prepared to give their teams an entirely new identity.   Subscribe to Prep Dig+ for complete Georgia rankings, expanded player profiles and continued coverage of the athletes, lineups and emerging storylines that will shape the 2026 high-school volleyball season.   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-prepdigga 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_prepdigga</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>   Work hard, Play hard. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga

Every high-school season ends with a handoff.