ROME, Ga. — As Shorter University volleyball begins to prepare for their second season under Head Coach Taylor Watson in Conference Carolina's, they are looking forward to welcoming a class of six standout incoming freshmen and three transfers.

Shorter Volleyball had a successful 17-14 (11-7) season under first year head coach Watson. Improving by 11 overall wins and 9 conference wins. The Hawks finished with the most overall wins since 2021 as well as the most conference wins and home wins since 2017. As the Hawks close out their spring season they are beginning to prepare for, what they hope, is an even more successful season in the Fall 2025.

The Hawks will be returning 15 of their upcoming 23 athletes. Including 2024-2025 standouts Third team All Conference Senior Libero Claudia Loyola and one of the top 10 blockers in the conference, Junior Middle Blocker Alexis Williams. The Hawks also welcome back standout Red-Shirt Junior Taylor-Reese Howell coming back from a season ending injury looking for a revamp of what started out to be one of her most successful seasons yet.

The Hawks are looking to welcome one of the most decorated recruiting classes yet. Combined, the incoming freshman class of 2025 totals four AVCA All American Watchlist nominees. One of the four AVCA All American watchlist candidates is standout Libero Caitlyn Sutton from Loganville, Georgia. Sutton is #14 in the state of Georgia for total digs (458) averaging 4.60 D/S. Sutton was named the 2023 8AAAAA region player of the year, is a 2x 5A All-State player, and a Georgia Varsity Rivals Top 2025 prospect and defender in the state of Georgia. In the setting position the Hawks welcome Georgia state champion from Hebron Christian Academy, Brooke Thao and 2x 5A All conference setter Isabella Crane from Little Rock, Arkansas. Thao was named the 8AA player of the year, 5A-1A County player of the year, 2x First team All-State, 2x First team Gwinnett All County, and 2x first team all region. On top of these accomplishments Thao was also named an AAU All American in 2021, 3x JVA Watchlist nominee, and has double qualified in 2025 for USAV Junior Nationals with one of the top clubs in the state Talitha Koum (TK Volleyball).

In addition to these notable backrow players the Hawks welcome standout six-rotation pin Acca Berube. Berube is a 2x AVCA Phenom on top of being named to the AVCA All-American watchlist in 2024. Berube is a 3x AAAAA All Region 8 First Team nominee and was selected for the GVCA Senior All-Star game in 2024. To add to her High school accolades Berube is a 2x SRVA High Performance Training team player, JVA Watchlist nominee in 2022 and joins Thao with double qualified TK Volleyball to represent the Hawks at USAV Jr. Nationals in 2025. Other notable freshmen include All-American Watch list nominees 6'3 opposite Sofi Veal and 6'1 Middle Blocker Emily Lalaian. Lalaian was also named to the AVCA first team Best & Brightest list in 2024.

The Hawks are also looking to welcome some experienced talent in standout NJCAA DII transfer Adalyn Stewart from Huntsville, Alabama. Stewart is an incoming junior transfer from Lurleen B.Wallace. Stewart was named first team All Conference in the ACCC in 2024, finishing 2nd in the ACCC in kills per set (3.32) and points per set (3.80). Stewart also finished 8th in the ACCC in total points scored (379.0) in 2024. Stewart brings a wealth of winning experience in her college career, being a part of Wallace State Hanceville's squad her freshman year where she played a vital role in earning an ACCC conference championship and Gulf South District Championship in 2023. Some other notable transfers are setter Lainie Phillips from NJCAA DII Snead State Community College and NCAA DII Mountain East Conference All freshman team player Helena Kelley from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

The Hawks look forward to welcoming such a talented group of athletes to The Hill in the Fall of 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars for the home opening weekend against Miles College on Friday August 29th at 6:00 PM EST and Saturday August 30th against GSC's Trevecca Nazarene University at 2:00 PM EST.