Gratitude seems to sit at the center of Isabella Hedrick’s volleyball journey.

It appears in the way she approaches opportunities. It appears in how she views improvement. It even appears in the excitement she feels about competing against athletes who challenge her to raise her level.

For Isabella, Summer NIT is more than a tournament. It is a chance to continue learning.

The libero position requires consistency, composure, and the ability to stay engaged through every point. Those qualities align naturally with the way she views growth. Mistakes are part of the game, but they are also part of the learning process.

Academics are equally important. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while pursuing interests in sports medicine and physical therapy reflects the same commitment to improvement she brings to volleyball.

That outlook may be one of the biggest reasons she continues moving forward.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Last on our rankings riser list we have Isabella who goes from the unranked category all the way up to 58th in this most recent list. Isabella is playing up this season, 2 ages groups above where she would normally play and you wouldn’t know based on watching her that she is that much younger. She plays fast and is very technically sound as a libero for her age. She has great footwork and is able to get to her defensive position and cover and back with ease each and every play. Her form is simple but precise and she is able to pass perfect balls almost every single time she touches it in defense.

On the serve receive side she is an excellent communicator who can organize a back row and take charge when needed. She is very capable of taking a lot of ground in serve receive and can pass balls from outside her platform and on target with perfection each and every time. She is most importantly a steady and reliable presence in serve receive, consistently delivering accurate passes that allow the offense to stay in system.

Her relentless motor, defensive instincts, and ability to stabilize serve receive make her a player every team can rely on in pressure moments. Watching her play it is easy to see why she took a big rise into the rankings.

A 2029 playing on a 17s team is always something you need to see, however you would never know by watching Outlaws 17 play that she is 2-3 years younger over some of these girls. Isabella defensively reads hitters well and shows a quick first step that allows her to arrive early and stay balanced through contact. She absorbs pace effectively, keeps balls playable, and transitions smoothly back into defensive base.

Most impressively is her anticipation and hustle that she shows on the floor. This allows her to cover large areas of the court, often turning impossible balls into playable opportunities and not only playable but in system plays. Calm under pressure and highly coachable, she communicates effectively, directs the back row, and sets up her teammates for success.

She has really come into her own this season, she is someone who is playing up in age and is dominating against girls who are older. She is a really great libero who is fundamentally sound and has elite technique. We know we can’t wait to see her play this month and you shouldn’t miss the chance either!