The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Announces Class of 2025 Signees
11/13/2024 3:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM - Head Coach Betsy Freeburg and staff are excited to announce five players to the Class of 2025.
"The class of 2025 is a dynamic group that is going to bring a lot of energy to the program. The majority of the players in this class fought for State Championships this year, and they will come in with an attitude determined to compete. Their competitive nature combined with their work ethic and grit is going to add an exciting element to the gym every day," Freeburg said.
Riley Lovell, Addyson Smock, Kennedy Vaughn, Lia Beverly, and Kennedy Jones will join the volleyball team in the fall of 2025.
Riley Lovell | Madison, AL | Bob Jones HS | Setter
The Madison, Alabama native is a setter out of Bob Jones High School. Lovell was a First Team All-State selection in 2021 (Athens High School), 2022, and 2024. She has a host of other awards including: AL.com Super All State Volleyball Team, All-State Tournament Team, four time All-Area team, and Top 7 setter in Alabama overall. While playing for the state runner-up team this year she Accomplished 5000 career assists and 1000 career digs this year.
Addyson Smock | Easton, MA | Oliver Ames HS| Middle Blocker/Opposite
The Easton, Massachusetts native is a Middle Blocker from Oliver Ames High School. Smock is a captain for the high school and was named to the 2022, 2023 NERVA All Stars Team. She was a First Team All-Hockomock and was named as the Capitol Hill Classic Best Blocker in 2024. Smock will play in the Division Two Massachusetts State Finals this week.
Kennedy Vaughn | Madison, AL | Bob Jones High School | Outside Hitter
The Madison, Alabama native is a Outside Hitter also out of Bob Jones High School. Vaughn was a First Team All-State player in 2022-2024 and the AHSVCA player of the year in 2023. Vaughn surpassed 2,000 career kills earlier this year. She has a bundle of other awards including:
Lia Beverly | New Orleans, LA | Metairie Park County Day School | Middle Blocker
The New Orleans, Louisian native is a middle blocker from Metairie Park County Day School. Beverly won the Division V State Championship in 2022 and 2023. She was named the District Player of the Year and named to the 2023 All-State Volleyball Team. She has a bundle of other awards including:
Kennedy Jones | St. Louis, MO | Francis Howell North HS | Middle Blocker
The St. Louis, Missouri native is a middle blocker out of Francis Howell North High School. KJ broke the single season high school record for total blocks with 122 this season. She was also a Second Team All-District player and a team MVP her sophomore year.
Player accomplishments:
"The class of 2025 is a dynamic group that is going to bring a lot of energy to the program. The majority of the players in this class fought for State Championships this year, and they will come in with an attitude determined to compete. Their competitive nature combined with their work ethic and grit is going to add an exciting element to the gym every day," Freeburg said.
Riley Lovell, Addyson Smock, Kennedy Vaughn, Lia Beverly, and Kennedy Jones will join the volleyball team in the fall of 2025.
Riley Lovell | Madison, AL | Bob Jones HS | Setter
The Madison, Alabama native is a setter out of Bob Jones High School. Lovell was a First Team All-State selection in 2021 (Athens High School), 2022, and 2024. She has a host of other awards including: AL.com Super All State Volleyball Team, All-State Tournament Team, four time All-Area team, and Top 7 setter in Alabama overall. While playing for the state runner-up team this year she Accomplished 5000 career assists and 1000 career digs this year.
Addyson Smock | Easton, MA | Oliver Ames HS| Middle Blocker/Opposite
The Easton, Massachusetts native is a Middle Blocker from Oliver Ames High School. Smock is a captain for the high school and was named to the 2022, 2023 NERVA All Stars Team. She was a First Team All-Hockomock and was named as the Capitol Hill Classic Best Blocker in 2024. Smock will play in the Division Two Massachusetts State Finals this week.
Kennedy Vaughn | Madison, AL | Bob Jones High School | Outside Hitter
The Madison, Alabama native is a Outside Hitter also out of Bob Jones High School. Vaughn was a First Team All-State player in 2022-2024 and the AHSVCA player of the year in 2023. Vaughn surpassed 2,000 career kills earlier this year. She has a bundle of other awards including:
- All-Region 2022-24
- 2023 AVCA phenom watchlist
- AHSVCA preseason players to watch
- Super All state 2022-23
- North all star game 2024
- All American watchlist 2024
- All area team 2022-24
Lia Beverly | New Orleans, LA | Metairie Park County Day School | Middle Blocker
The New Orleans, Louisian native is a middle blocker from Metairie Park County Day School. Beverly won the Division V State Championship in 2022 and 2023. She was named the District Player of the Year and named to the 2023 All-State Volleyball Team. She has a bundle of other awards including:
- 2023 All-Metro Volleyball Team Selection
- 2023 AVCA Phenom
- 2023 Volleyball Mag HS player-of-the-year "ION" Watch List
- 2023 ALL-GEAUXPREPS SMALL SCHOOL Volleyball Selection
- 2024 AVCA All-America Watch List
- 2024 Varsity Volleyball Co-Captain
- 2024 East All-Star Volleyball Team
- 2024 LHSAA All Academic Award
Kennedy Jones | St. Louis, MO | Francis Howell North HS | Middle Blocker
The St. Louis, Missouri native is a middle blocker out of Francis Howell North High School. KJ broke the single season high school record for total blocks with 122 this season. She was also a Second Team All-District player and a team MVP her sophomore year.
Player accomplishments:
- Academic All Conference x3
- '24 UA Next Invitee
- Gateway Region NTDP Accelerator Invitee
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