HIdden Gems That Shined – Big South 2025

Every tournament has its hidden gems — the players who weren't on everyone's radar at first but walked away as unforgettable. These athletes made their presence felt with grit, growth, and game.    Vivienne plays with poise and power. She swings with speed and precision. She hustles for every ball, supports her teammates vocally, and is incredibly coachable mid-match. A future six-rotation star in the making.  Vivienne is that girl who makes every part of the game look smooth. From her hangtime attacks to her hustle in serve receive, she's already a competitive outside. She's also vocal, coachable, and always uplifting her team. Her defensive movement is strong. She hustles, encourages her teammates, and stays locked in. She's coachable, consistent, and always moving — a promising six-rotation athlete in the making. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Breanna is an all-around athlete with grit and game. She attacks the net aggressively, covers with precision, and gives consistent passes in serve receive. Coachable, dependable, and fun to watch. When Breanna steps onto the court, you feel it. With a powerful swing that keeps defenders guessing and a relentless hustle that never lets up, she brings more than just points to the scoreboard — she brings energy, leadership, and fire. This outside brings a powerful swing and a great attitude. She hustles hard and encourages her team every play. She's coachable and energetic — a culture-builder. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Olivia is an ideal middle — tall, athletic, and impactful on both sides of the ball. She closes the block pin-to-pin, ends points with authority, and has the rare ability to cut the ball mid-air. High ceiling, high motor, and absolutely next-level. Her performance screams D1 potential. She had one of the biggest verticals of the weekend and made pin-to-pin blocking look effortless. She hit with power and precision, made smart decisions, and was the go-to point-ender for her team. Her presence? Unmissable. Miller has the tools. Her vertical is huge, her block is disciplined, and she's a go-to point-scorer. A major recruiting prospect. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Eva is the kind of setter every team wants — composed, deliberate, and strategic. Her soft hands and quick release allow her to run a balanced offense with ease. She moves the ball around efficiently and knows exactly when to set her hitters for impact. What stood out most? Her ability to drop into a 3-pass on defense, lead with her voice, and keep the court calm and connected. She's a playmaker with high volleyball IQ and a great attitude to match. Eva is a technically sharp setter who keeps her offense balanced and efficient. Her soft, deliberate hands and quick feet allow her to stay ahead of plays. She's a strong communicator with a great attitude and feel for the game. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald     Dia's athleticism is what draws you in, but her volleyball IQ is what keeps you watching. She's quick to read the block, gets her feet under every swing, and times her hits with sharp precision. Her energy on the court was contagious, and her blocking game was next-level. She's a right side who's going to keep climbing. Dia is an athlete through and through. She transitions fast, blocks big, and makes smart decisions. She's vocal and dependable — the kind of teammate every coach wants. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald      Aggressive, gritty, and all over the court — Brennan was a standout from the moment she stepped on. She hustles hard for every ball, delivers 3 passes like clockwork, and brings a contagious positive energy.  Brennan brings effort and a student mindset. She stays engaged between points, takes feedback seriously, and applies it without hesitation. Her hunger to grow is noticeable and made her even more dangerous every time she stepped back on the court. Her versatility and coachability make her a favorite.  Brennan brought that all-around spark — aggressive at the net, strong in the backcourt, and always communicating. What really stands out? She knows how to better the ball and keeps the energy high. She hustled down tough balls, hit smart angles, and stayed composed. She's that “glue” player that makes teams thrive. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald    They brought consistency, energy, and skill that deserves to be recognized. Coaches, if you're looking for girls who rise to the occasion, these are the ones to watch.   <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

Every tournament has its hidden gems — the players who weren't on everyone's radar at first but walked away as unforgettable. These athletes made their presence felt with grit, growth, and game.