Calise Hawley’s favorite moment from the weekend started in the middle of a long rally.

Both teams were scrambling. Digs. Blocks. Coverage. Great effort on both sides of the net. The point had already lasted longer than most, and nobody seemed willing to let the ball hit the floor.

As the rally continued, Calise noticed something.

The opposing setter kept pulling up to the ten-foot line, leaving deep line exposed behind the block. She quickly relayed the information to her outside hitter and told her to attack that open space.

A few touches later, the ball went exactly where Calise had seen the opening. Point over.

In a match that had already pushed beyond 25 points, the timing could not have been better.

That play says a lot about how Calise views the libero position. Throughout her responses, communication continued to surface. Not just talking for the sake of talking, but using information to help her teammates make better decisions.

One message from her coach stayed with her all season. As a libero, her energy affects everyone else on the court.

That perspective helped her become more vocal, more confident, and more comfortable stepping into leadership opportunities during pressure moments.

Away from the court, Calise is equally proud of balancing AP classes, volleyball, beach season, travel, and the demands of junior year. She also credits experiences through Link Crew and volleyball for helping her become more outgoing and willing to step into leadership roles.

What excites her most moving forward is the opportunity to show coaches that she brings more than passing and defense.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Calise Hawley Calise Hawley 5'6" | DS/L/S Santiago | 2027 CA brings strong positional awareness and trust in her platform, allowing her to make subtle adjustments that create clean, controlled passes. She recognized a short serve pattern and adjusted her positioning with discipline, staying low and balanced to deliver a pass that kept her team in system and allowed the offense to operate.

Her leadership shows up in how she manages energy and communication. In a key moment, she stepped in to reset the tone, reinforcing confidence and keeping her teammates connected through consistent communication. That presence directly contributed to a shift in momentum and a more confident team response.

She is continuing to refine her platform discipline, focusing on body positioning and trusting her mechanics. That consistency is what allows a libero to become a dependable anchor in serve receive and defense.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Calise Hawley Calise Hawley 5'6" | DS/L/S Santiago | 2027 CA brought consistent energy and defensive effort, showing a willingness to pursue every ball while contributing in both primary and secondary roles. Her defensive presence helped stabilize play in tight moments, and her use of hands on out-of-system balls added value to her team’s offensive efficiency. She demonstrated awareness of her responsibilities beyond her primary position, particularly in transition situations.

Off the court, Hawley is currently tied for first in her high school beach volleyball league, reflecting competitive success across multiple formats.

Next tournament: March 28, Local Bid Event

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Across all three matches, Hawley emphasized her role as a steady presence for her team, noting that regardless of the outcome of a point, she stayed focused on keeping teammates energized and confident. She was proud of her overall serve receive and her ability to reset quickly after mistakes, maintaining consistent energy throughout the day. Defensively, she took immediate coaching feedback to heart, adjusting her stance and positioning in left back and seeing noticeable improvement as the day progressed. Off the court, Hawley was recently nominated for Link Crew President at her school and enjoys line dancing with friends.

Calise Hawley Calise Hawley 5'6" | DS/L/S Santiago | 2027 CA will next compete at the Nike Music City Championship, February 20–22.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247