Lily Hayes: USA’s Defensive Star

Lily Hayes approaches her game on the volleyball court with a noticeable confidence, suggesting she`s exceptional.

Whether it`s a cushioned pass, defending against a powerful spike, or diving to save a delicate tip, Hayes has been a standout player for the USA team at this World Championship. The 175cm libero is a master of floor defense, and the statistics confirm her impact.

Among the eight teams reaching the quarterfinals, Hayes is a leader among liberos in both passing (34) and digging (73), highlighting her crucial role for the USA squad. It`s fair to say she is the foundation upon which Coach Robert Keegan Cook is building the team`s title defense.

“I always play with great passion because while I`m not the big scorer, I aim to be the significant defender who can stop a play. Defense wins championships, and I`m happy to play this behind-the-scenes role. Being there for my teammates and cheering them on is incredibly powerful and fulfilling,” Hayes explained.

“I love executing a good pass, but getting a dig, especially without a block, is an amazing feeling… It`s unbelievable!” Hayes shared regarding what she enjoys most on the court.

However, growing up in Tampa, Florida, volleyball wasn`t Lily`s initial passion. Her mother, Nel Fettig, was a professional football player, and Lily started out in football before switching to volleyball around age 9.

“Seeing my mom`s achievements in football was inspiring, and I hope to follow a similar path in a different sport. I`m glad I played two sports when I was younger because it helped shape me into the athlete I am today,” she noted.

“I chose volleyball because I truly fell in love with everything about it. Volleyball feels much more intense and connected than 90 minutes of football. Every point is significantly more intense, and every touch matters a little bit more,” Lily explained.

Initially an outside hitter, Lily transitioned to playing libero only four years ago. Even in her wildest dreams, she didn`t expect to become a regular for the USA national team at a World Championship so quickly!

“This is my first time, and I absolutely adore it… It`s a dream come true! Everything is more demanding and held to a higher standard, which really pushes me to improve,” revealed Hayes.

“It`s definitely a challenge, as everything differs from club volleyball in the US. It`s a steep learning curve, and I`ve gained so much from this national team experience that I`ll carry with me forever, not just in volleyball but in life,” she added.

Lily has truly been tested at this World Championship. Team rosters are limited to 12 players by competition rules, meaning Lily has had to handle both passing and digging responsibilities as the sole libero for the USA.

“It`s certainly been a mental challenge. Realizing I don`t have anyone else to rely on has forced me to trust my own skills and feel confident in my performance. It`s an honor to manage both passing and digging for the team, and I can only improve from here,” said a visibly happy Lily.

Despite this being her first appearance with the national team, the 18-year-old has overcome expectations to help lead the USA to the quarterfinals, where they will face Italy, the European bronze medalists. Their journey to the quarterfinals has been equally demanding and challenging.

Among all quarterfinalists, only the USA has participated in three thrilling five-set matches—against Poland, Bulgaria, and Germany. While they lost two matches to their Pool C opponents, Bulgaria and Poland, their most recent five-set battle resulted in a victory for the Americans, who narrowly defeated Germany 3-2 in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night.

“As defending champions, we fully understand that everyone wants to defeat us. We must play at a higher level despite not having trained together as a team for very long. These tough matches have shown us what`s necessary to win this World Championship,” observed Lily, the eldest of three siblings.

“We`ve only played together for about two weeks now, and that`s what makes our team unique. We`re able to unite because we all possess a great ability to play volleyball and make the most of it. It`s about building on that and aiming to bring another title home,” she emphasized.

Looking ahead, Lily envisions herself playing professional volleyball in Italy and representing the USA in major competitions like the FIVB World Championships and Olympic Games.

But immediate plans come first. She recently accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida and is enthusiastic about her National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) league debut next season.

“Playing against the best in the world here (in Osijek) has been excellent preparation for what I`ll face in the NCAA, as I`ll be competing against even older players,” said Lily.

What a spectacular debut it would be if she first dons the Gators jersey as a World Champion!