Volleyball | November 19, 2020
AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with head volleyball coach
Glenn Cox, is pleased to announce the addition of three student-athletes for the upcoming 2021 season.
"Our 2021 early signing class brings in a wealth of talent, high level experience, and character," Cox said. "I am thrilled to be adding these three amazing student athletes to our roster and look forward to their arrival next fall!"
Lily Andrews, Izabella Delima and Sadie McKay will continue their athletic and academic careers at USC Aiken beginning in the fall of 2021.
"When I first saw Lily play at AAU Nationals back in 2018 she was by far the shortest player on the court and possibly the shortest player in the whole convention center," Cox stated. She was literally surrounded by giants on both sides of the net playing on one of the top open courts with her club team Top Select. I sat down to watch thinking how will she survive with these giants only to witness this libero put on a slaying the giants show. Lily's passing form, ability to read to hitters, and the range of her footwork stood out as she proved one of my favorite Shakespeare quote true that day – 'And though she be but little, She is Fierce.' Lily is a libero that will add a wealth of volleyball IQ and defensive skill from her years of playing on Top Select's top open team and add to our defensive prowess as a team."
Andrews is a 5-3 libero/defensive specialist from Oviedo, Fla. The 2020 Under Armour All-American averaged 12.7 digs/match as a senior. The Oviedo H.S. product played club ball for 18 Elite Blue Top Select Volleyball Academy, guiding her 2016 AAU team to a second-place finish at open division nationals. She also helped lead the squad to a fifth-place finish in the GJNC open division. Andrews was a 2019 prep volleyball LSC and Big South open star honoree.
"Izabella Delima is an amazing libero that came in for a visit/tryout after we were first impressed with her relentless pursuit and amazing speed on her highlight video," Cox said. "She came in for a visit and clicked with our team and coaching staff immediately. Her ability to communicate and the energy she brought to the court was amazing to witness. We knew she was fast before she got here but she ended up making a number of those (Wow how did she get that!) plays that night. Some of our coaching staff and players after her tryout all actually said, "Coach she's too fast!" Izabella's passing and defensive skills paired with her energy and character were something we clearly had to add to one of the best defensive teams in the country."
Delima is a 5-1 libero/defensive specialist from Samford, Fla. An all-tournament team selection, she was selected as the two-time Best Defensive award winner. Delima played club ball for 18-1 Rox Gamepoint Volleyball. She attends Seminole H.S.
"Sadie McKay is a multidimensional six-rotation outside hitter that will bring in an impressive resume of high-level open club experience from Houston Juniors," Cox stated. "Sadie can flat out compete and her desire to win is evident no matter what the score is. We were first impressed with her overall ball control, athleticism, speed, and hitting power. Sadie's ability to read and react with her feet defensively pairs nicely with her perfect frozen platform passing. After meeting Sadie and getting to know her awesome personality, our players and staff all immediately knew we needed her to be a part of the Pacer Volleyball family. Sadie's love and passion for the game is glaringly evident and she sure does seem to find herself in a lot of championship matches. She will definitely add another great pin hitter to a team that will be loaded with talent next fall."
McKay is a 5-9 outside hitter form Bellville, Texas. The Bellville H.S. attendee picked up all-state honors as a junior. A two-time first-team all-district selection, McKay played club ball for Houston Juniors. She made the TGCA all-star team and was selected to the all-decade team. McKay led her team to a pair of district titles and three Bi-district championships.
