The libero/defensive specialist will join the Gators in the fall.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida volleyball team announced the addition of libero/defensive specialist Lily Hayes to the 2025 roster on Tuesday.
“Lily caught our eye early on with her skills, footspeed, and length,” said Florida Head Coach Mary Wise said. “Her talents and competitiveness will be a great addition to our program.”
A Tampa, Florida native, Hayes will arrive in Gainesville for the fall 2025 semester. She brings with her USA high performance experience and has achieved success with her club and high school teams.
Why Hayes chose the University of Florida
I chose Florida because as soon as I attended the camp, I fell in love with the players and the culture that the staff has created, and it instantly felt like home. I want to play volleyball at the highest level, and I feel that surrounding myself with the best and being coached by the best at Florida will help me achieve my dream. I’m so excited to be a part of a program that will push me to be my best on and off the court.
Below are the details of Haye’s high school, club and USA high performance accolades.
Lily Hayes
* Position: L/ DS
* Height: 5’9
* Hometown: Tampa, FL
* High School: Berkeley Prep
* Club Team: OTVA
Hayes’ High School Accolades
* FACA District 15 All Star, 2024
* FHSAA two-time State Finalist; AHN 2022, Berkeley Prep, 2024
* FHSAA State Semi Finalist, AHN 2021
* Academy of the Holy Names Coaches Award, 2021
* Prime Time Preps Hillsborough County Player of the Week
Hayes’ Club Accolades
Individual
* AAU All-American, 14U/15U/16U/17U, 2021-2024
* Prep Volleyball Club All American, 16U/17U, 2023, 2024
* Prep Volleyball #7 Libero, #36 Overall Class of 2025, Summer 2024
* Prep Dig #2 Libero, #23 Overall Class of 2025, Aug 2024
* MEQ, Big South All-Tournament Team (2024, 2022)
* Prep Volleyball #3 Libero, #19 Overall Class of 2025, Summer 2023
* Prep Dig #2 Libero, #19 Overall Class of 2025, Aug 2023
* Prep Volleyball USAV Nationals Super 7 Player, 15U, 2022
* Prep Volleyball #1 Libero, #6 Overall Class of 2025, Summer 2022
Team
* AAU Nationals 3rd Place, 14 Open/16 Open/17 Open (2021/2023/2024)
* Big South Qualifier, 1st Place, 17 Open, 2024
* MEQ Qualifier,1st Place, 17 Open, 2024
* USAV Junior Girls Nationals 5th Place, 15 Open, 2022
* AAU Nationals, 2nd Place, 15 Open, 2022
* NIT Triple Crown 2nd Place, 15 Open, 2022
* Sunshine Qualifier, 1st Place, 14 Open, 2021
* Big South Qualifier, 1st Place, 15 Open, 2022
* Sunshine Qualifier, 3rd Place, 15 Open, 2022
* Prep Volleyball #1 Ranked Club Team, 15s, 2022
* USAV Junior Girls Nationals 3rd Place, 14 Open, 2021
Hayes’ USA High-Performance Accolades
* USAV National Team Development Program (NTDP)
* 2022-23 NTDP Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter Camps attendee
* Team Florida Indoor All-Star Selection Camp Invite
Hayes’ Off-the-Court Accolades
* Headmasters List, Berkeley Prep, 2023
* Presidents Honor Roll with Distinction, Academy of the Holy Names, 2021, 2022
* Esse Quam Videre Award, 2022
* Pre-calculus Book Award (highest grade)
* Honors U.S History & English 11
* Also played soccer for ECNL Team and Tampa Bay United
* US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Interregional Team, 2020
* Florida ODP Player Pool, 2020, 2021
* ECNL Girls National Playoffs, Starting Center Back, TBU ECNL 07
Personal
Her mother, Nel (Fettig) Hayes, was the National High S Player of the Year, Youth National Team Member and went on to be a 3 time All American and four-time NCAA Champ (3 playing, 1 coaching) while at UNC Chapel Hill. She played professional soccer where she was a league All Star and WUSA Champion with the Carolina Courage. Her brother, Cooper Hayes, was the starting freshman quarterback for Berkeley Prep on their 2023 State Championship team.
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