Categories: College University AthleticsUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga News

Chattanooga School Welcomes New Volleyball Star for 2025 Season

The Chattanooga volleyball team prepares for an exciting 2025 season with new talent.

News Summary

Chattanooga welcomes Bailey Burgess to the UTC volleyball team for the 2025 season. The talented athlete from Old Dominion boasts impressive statistics and skills as a middle blocker. Coach Julie Torbett Thomas is excited about the potential impact Bailey will make on the team’s performance. With an outstanding high school and collegiate career, Bailey is ready to take the court and excel both athletically and academically at UTC, where she plans to major in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on Cybersecurity.

Chattanooga Welcomes New Volleyball Star for 2025 Season

The city of Chattanooga is buzzing with excitement as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) volleyball team has just made a major addition to its roster for the 2025 season. Get ready for some thrilling plays, because Bailey Burgess, a talented athlete from Old Dominion, is officially on her way to becoming a Moc.

Meet the Player

Originally hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Bailey stands an impressive six feet one inch tall, making her a formidable presence on the court. With two years of athletic eligibility left, there’s no doubt she is set to make a significant impact at UTC.

Coach’s Enthusiasm

Head coach Julie Torbett Thomas is thrilled about Bailey joining the team, especially due to the team’s need for an experienced middle blocker. With her two-year history at Old Dominion, Bailey brings a wealth of knowledge and skills that will boost the Mocs’ performance.

Looking Back at Old Dominion

Even though Bailey did not compete in the 2024 season at Old Dominion, her past performance in her first two seasons was nothing short of impressive. As a freshman, she played a crucial role in her team by starting in 27 out of 28 matches. During that time, she racked up an impressive 172 kills, showcased her blocking skills with 99 blocks, and added 52 digs, alongside 23 aces and five assists. Notably, Bailey had a knack for making her mark in crucial matches, recording over 10 kills in three different games, with her standout performance netting her a career-high of 12 kills in a tournament match against Arkansas State.

Statistics That Speak Volumes

Burgess really took her game to the next level in her sophomore year. She started in 30 out of 31 matches that season and set a program record at Old Dominion with 112 total blocks. Her sophomore stats were just as impressive as her freshman year. She notched 154 kills with a hitting percentage of .310, in addition to 32 digs, 21 aces, and again, five assists. The stats show how capable she is as a player, as she constantly contributed to her team’s success.

Moreover, Bailey demonstrated her blocking prowess in her sophomore season, achieving more than five blocks in 12 matches, with a standout performance that saw her tie her career-high with nine blocks against West Virginia.

A Bright Future Ahead

Bella’s talent didn’t just shine at the collegiate level. Before stepping into the world of college volleyball, she was a star at Wakefield High School in Raleigh. En route to a standout high school career, she started and lettered for four years, earning numerous awards, accolades, and recognition along the way. Her prowess earned her four-time All-Conference selections and the coveted title of Conference Offensive Player of the Year during her junior and senior years. Senior year was a particularly bright one for Bailey, as she claimed Second Team All-State honors and appeared on both the AVCA All-American and Under Armour All-American Watch Lists.

What’s Next for Bailey?

Born on March 15, 2004, to Tim and Candice Burgess, Bailey is set to make her mark not just in athletics but academically as well. With plans to major in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on Cybersecurity at UTC, she is balancing her passion for volleyball with a strong educational goal.

Stay Updated on the Mocs

As Bailey transitions into this new chapter at UTC, supporters and fans can keep up with all the latest updates by following UTC volleyball on various social media platforms. So mark your calendars and get ready to cheer for the Mocs in the upcoming 2025 season!