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Serving Up Power and Positivity: Spotlight on Volleyball Standout Hannah Edgeworth

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For many young athletes, volleyball is just a sport. But for Hannah Edgeworth, it’s a calling, and club volleyball is where that passion comes to life. Even though playing on a National travel team requires long road trips, tough opponents, and high-stakes matches. Edgeworth loves the competition. While playing for the A5 Volleyball Club, Edgeworth and her teammates has traveled all over the country. In 2024, A5 Volleyball Club won the 14 Premier AAU National Championship.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Edgeworth.

Who has been the most influential person in your volleyball journey so far?
The most influential person in my volleyball journey has been Bob Westbrook, the founder of A5 Volleyball Club. Not only him, but the entire coaching staff at A5! One of the first times I stepped into the A5 gym, Bob pulled me aside and took the time to encourage me personally. The moment stuck with me and it made me feel seen and valued, not just as a player, but as a person. With over 50 years of coaching experience, Bob has had an enormous impact on the volleyball community, especially in the Southeast. A5 Pure Volleyball Club just celebrated 20 years. But what sets A5 apart is more than just their resume, it’s the way their coaches pour into athletes and believe in their potential.

What position do you play, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I play the Libero position. I love to bring energy, hustle, and court awareness to my team. The challenge of reading hitters and getting a massive dig that turns defense to offense is my favorite! I also enjoy serve receive that sets the tone for the offense.

How do you balance academics, volleyball, and personal time during the season?
Honestly, it takes real commitment. I live just outside Chattanooga, TN and travel to train at A5 in Atlanta, 3 to 4 days a week. I make academics a priority by using my mornings and any downtime during the day to stay on top of my schoolwork. In my personal time, I love spending time with my family and friends and playing my guitar.

What’s your favorite memory from your volleyball experience?
My favorite memory from volleyball, without a doubt, was winning the AAU National Championship last year on Father’s Day! It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing volleyball. Sharing that moment with my teammates and winning it on Father’s Day made it even more special. It’s a memory, I’ll hold on to forever.

What’s a typical training day like for you during the season?
A typical training day for me during the season at A5 is intense and focused, but we always find ways to enjoy the process. On Master Coaching days, I usually start with a one hour – individual training session to work on specific skills. After that, I spend 30 minutes getting early reps with my coach. Then move to a four-hour master coaching class that will include competitive scrimmaging and 30 minutes of conditioning. It’s a demanding schedule, but I love the challenge and environment.

What’s one drill or workout you secretly enjoy (or hate to love)?
I enjoy the “active warm-up” drill. In this drill, every time the ball crosses the net, all the players rotate positions. I love it because it keeps the energy high, gets everyone moving, and gives me a chance to play every position. It’s fun and unpredictable.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for a game or big tournament?
I make sure to get the right amount of sleep so I’m well rested and focused. I eat clean starting mid-week before a tournament and stay hydrated. Mentally, I keep a positive mindset going into the tournament with affirmations and listen to music.

What’s a piece of advice you’ve received from a coach that stuck with you?
Best pieces of advice I have received tend to be quotes. Some of my favorites are – “How you do one thing is how you do everything”, “Aim small, miss small”, and Mamba Mentality – A constant quest to be the best version of one’s self.

What motivates you to keep pushing through tough practices or losses?
My teammates! I’m always driven to be there for them. It’s not just my own goals but the team’s success and the bond we share motivates me every day.

Where do you see yourself in volleyball over the next 3–5 years?
I see myself continuing to grow and develop as a volleyball player, with the goal of competing at a high level in college volleyball.

How do you handle pressure during close matches or high-stakes points?
I tend to handle pressure really well. There are only two outcomes, you either win the point or lose the point. So I focus on staying calm, trusting my training, and giving everything I have to win each point. This helps me no matter how intense the moment is.

Favorite volleyball player or team you look up to?
My favorite volleyball player is Laney Choboy, 5’3″ Libero for Nebraska. I admire her incredible energy, outstanding defensive skills, and court presence. She plays with heart and I look up to the way she leads from the back row.

What’s your go-to post-tournament meal or snack?
After a tournament, I always want a good Coke!

What’s something fans or coaches might be surprised to learn about you?
Something coaches might be surprised to learn about me is that I relax by singing and playing my guitar. It helps clear my mind and is fun to learn new songs.

Follow Her On Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/hannah_addison_vball?igsh=M3p1ZnoyOXBxcXIx

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.

We Speak Volleyball

Eyes on the Ball, Heart in the Game: Ryan Jomo’s Volleyball Journey as a Libero Who Refused to Settle for Less

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When passion meets purpose, greatness follows. For Ryan Jomo, a standout libero from Lake Brantley High School and East Tennessee State University commit, volleyball has become more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong journey of growth, grit, and relentless determination. From humble beginnings on a club team that never reached the gold bracket, to becoming one of the fiercest defensive forces on the court, Ryan’s story is a testament to what can happen when you chase your dreams with everything you’ve got.

How did you get started playing volleyball, and what made you fall in love with the sport?
I started playing volleyball at 13 years old. I made my first club joining halfway into my 13s season. I played on a number 7s team for my age group. (Really really bad, we didn’t qualify for a gold bracket in any tournament all year.) One day I saw our 1s team practicing and I saw how good those girls were and from that point on I was determined to make a team like that. So from that day on I worked hard on getting better and I absolutely fell in love with the sport.

Who has been the most influential person in your volleyball journey so far?
The most influential person is 100% my dad. Even when I told him I had such big goals he always supported me. Not only that, he also took the time to work with me and help me learn the game of volleyball.

What position do you play, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I enjoy playing libero the most. Libero is a defensive position and while others might think it’s boring not being able to score points, nothing beats getting the perfect dig off a hard attack and setting my team up for success.

What’s your favorite memory from your volleyball experience?
My favorite memory is when I was 14 we won the Big South Qualifier in Atlanta out of 92 teams. It was so so much fun and a memory I will NEVER forget.

What’s a typical training day like for you during the season?
A typical day of training is very very busy. I do virtual school and doing so allows me to finish my studies on my own time and leave a lot of time for volleyball. In the morning I go to a sand court and work on my serve receive. Then after I work on my schoolwork until I have to go to a workout around 4:30. I then have club practice and team workouts from 7–9:30. Then to finish off my night going to an adult open gym that starts at 10pm and typically doesn’t finish until after midnight. I play in these co-ed adult open gyms 3-5x per week.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for a game or big tournament?
I prepare for big games/tournaments everyday. With every time I step on the court whether it’s private training or at practice I am always preparing my skills to play in the next big match. I like to think preparation happens everyday prior to gameday. However on game day I prepare very loosely. I put on my favorite playlist, hang out with my teammates, and focus on purely competing with the other team across the net.

Favorite volleyball player or team you look up to?
My favorite volleyball player I look up to is Erik Shoji. Not only is he a great libero, but he’s someone whose passion for the game shows with everything he does. He’s always having fun and it reminds me that’s what the sport of volleyball is all about.

What’s your go-to post-tournament meal or snack?
Nerd Clusters

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.

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