Lily Hayes: USA’s Unyielding Anchor in U19 World Championship Defense

In the fast-paced world of international youth volleyball, where powerful hits and strategic blocks often grab the spotlight, the quiet consistency of a truly elite libero can be the bedrock upon which championships are built. For the USA U19 Women`s National Team competing at the 2025 FIVB Girl`s World Championship, that bedrock has a name: Lily Hayes.

Despite being a debutante on the national stage, Hayes has played with a notable blend of composure and competitive fire that suggests she`s been here before. Standing at 175cm, the libero position demands agility, precision, and an almost uncanny ability to read the game – qualities Hayes seems to possess in spades. She`s not the player delivering the match-winning kill, and frankly, she doesn`t want to be. Her passion lies in the art of defense.

The Stats Don`t Lie

Numbers in sports can sometimes be dry, but here they tell a compelling story. As the tournament progressed into the quarterfinal stage, Lily Hayes positioned herself among the statistical leaders for liberos from the top 8 teams. Her performance in passing and digging underscores her vital role. Coach Robert Keegan Cook is not just building a team; he`s relying heavily on Hayes to stabilize their backcourt as they navigate the challenging path towards potentially defending a world title.

“I always play with a lot of passion because I`m not the big hitter that scores but I want to be the big defender that can stop a play. Defence wins championships and I`m happy to play this role behind the scenes. It`s so powerful and fulfilling just being there for my teammates and cheering them on,” Hayes explained, articulating the defensive mindset that drives her.

She finds particular satisfaction in the challenging plays.

“I love making a good pass but getting a dig, especially when there is no block, is such a great feeling…It`s unbelievable!” she shared with a beaming enthusiasm that cuts through the technical demands of her position.

From Pitch to Court

Hayes` journey to becoming a defensive cornerstone in volleyball wasn`t a straight line. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, her initial athletic pursuits were on a different kind of field. Her mother, Nel Fettig, was a professional football (soccer) player, and naturally, Lily started there too. The switch to volleyball came around age nine.

“It was admirable to see what my mum achieved in football and I hope I can follow a similar path in a different sport. I am glad that I got to play two sports when I was young because it has made me the athlete that I am today,” Lily reflected on her formative years.

But volleyball held a different allure.

“I chose volleyball because I fell in love with it and everything about it. Volleyball is much more intense and connected than 90 minutes of football. The points are so much more intense and every single touch that you take matters a little bit more,” she elaborated, highlighting the unique intensity and granular importance of each touch in volleyball compared to the continuous flow of football.

Originally an outside hitter, the transition to libero occurred just four years ago. Even then, the rapid ascent to a starting role on the USA national team at a World Championship was likely beyond her immediate expectations.

“This is my first time and I absolutely love it…It`s a dream come true! Everything is more intense and at a higher standard which pushes me to be better,” she admitted. “It`s definitely a challenge, because everything is different from club volleyball in the US. It`s a learning curve and I`ve learned so much from this national team that I can take with me forever not just in volleyball but also in life,” she added, emphasizing the profound impact this experience is having.

Shouldering the Load

This World Championship has presented a unique trial by fire for Hayes. Due to tournament roster regulations, the USA team brought only one libero – Lily Hayes. This means she is the sole player tasked with managing all passing and digging responsibilities throughout every match she`s on the court. There`s no relief, no rotation with another defensive specialist.

“It`s certainly been a mental challenge. Realizing that I don`t have anybody else to help me has made me trust my abilities and be confident in what I do. It`s an honour to do both passing and digging for the team and it can only get better from here,” she said with a visible sense of pride and determination. This singular focus has undoubtedly accelerated her development, pushing her to rely solely on her own skills and judgment under immense pressure.

The Path Through the Tournament

Navigating her national team debut while anchoring the defense for a team aiming for gold is a tall order. USA`s path to the quarterfinals, where they faced European bronze medalists Italy, was anything but easy. They became the only team among the quarterfinalists to endure three demanding five-set matches in the initial rounds. While they dropped two five-setters in pool play against Bulgaria and Poland, they secured a crucial 3-2 victory against Germany in the Round of 16, demonstrating resilience.

“As defending champions, we really know that everyone wants to beat us. We have to play at a higher level despite not having trained as a team for long. These tough matches have shown us what we need to do to win this World Championship,” observed the 18-year-old, who is the eldest of three siblings. This awareness of the target on their back, combined with the limited preparation time for the squad, makes their performance thus far particularly noteworthy.

The team`s ability to gel quickly is something she points to as a strength.

“We have only played together for like two weeks now and that`s what makes our team special. We are able to come together because we all have this great ability to play volleyball and make the best out of it. It`s all about building on that and try bring back another title home,” she underlined, highlighting the collective talent and shared goal that is driving their performance.

Looking Ahead: Gators and Beyond

Beyond the intensity of the U19 World Championship, Lily Hayes has her sights set on future horizons. She recently committed to the University of Florida on scholarship, preparing for her debut in the highly competitive NCAA league next season. The experience gained battling against international opponents in Osijek is invaluable preparation.

“Playing against the best in the world (here in Osijek) has been awesome preparation for what I will face in the NCAA because I will be playing against even older girls,” she noted, demonstrating a clear-eyed view of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Long-term, the aspirations are even grander: playing professional volleyball, with Italy mentioned as a potential destination, and ultimately, representing the senior USA national team at major events like future World Championships and the Olympic Games.

What better way to kick off a highly anticipated NCAA career with the Florida Gators than by returning home not just with international experience, but perhaps, a world championship gold medal draped around her neck? That would be a truly `swaggerific` start to the next chapter.