Bio

Position: Middle Blocker
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Jackson, Tennessee
High School: Jackson South Side High School
High School Graduation: 2026

Aydison Dilworth is a freshman middle blocker from Jackson, Tennessee, and a 2026 graduate of Jackson South Side High School. Dilworth began playing volleyball in the sixth grade and has continued building her confidence, athleticism and understanding of the game.

One of her favorite high school athletic memories came during her sophomore season, when she recorded the first 10-foot-line kill of her career. At the time, Dilworth did not believe she was capable of making that type of play, making the accomplishment an important moment in her development.

“When I got my first 10-foot-line kill as a sophomore, I didn’t think I was capable of doing that back then,” Dilworth said.

Dilworth chose Wallace State because of the welcoming and supportive environment she experienced around campus and within the volleyball program.

“It looks like there is always a helping hand and open arms around me,” Dilworth said. “The volleyball team is extremely nice and coachable. It makes me feel like I made the right choice and that I belong here.”

She credits her volleyball coach from ninth and 10th grade, her high school basketball coach and her mother with having the greatest impact on her athletic journey. Each of them shared a competitive mindset and consistently showed confidence in Dilworth’s abilities.

Her proudest Wallace State moments so far have come when teammates and captains Darcy Alford and “BK” have encouraged her and offered feedback.

“Anytime Darcy and BK encourage me and give me feedback, it means a lot, especially Darcy,” Dilworth said. “She really has a way with her words. I love them both as captains.”

College volleyball has taught Dilworth that players must be willing to break old habits and quickly move past mistakes. She has also learned how different the college game is from high school volleyball.

“It is faster, more competitive and challenges you mentally,” Dilworth said. “You have to forget the play that just happened and focus on the next one.”

Dilworth plans to balance academics and athletics by completing assignments whenever she sits down to work. She recognizes that she can become distracted easily and wants to become more disciplined with her schoolwork.

Her personal goals are to develop a stronger mindset, improve every day and become a positive and supportive teammate who helps wherever needed.

Dilworth’s favorite practice activity is the college serving drill because it challenges her passing and communication. She believes the drill is especially beneficial as she works to improve those areas of her game.

Before matches, Dilworth listens to music and thinks about what she needs to do differently from previous performances. Her go-to hype song is “E85” by Don Toliver.

She mentally prepares by telling herself she will improve from the previous match. Dilworth also asks coaches and teammates what she should watch for and studies opponents during warmups to identify their strengths.

“When I watch the other team warm up, I try to observe every player and see what they do well,” Dilworth said.

Dilworth believes her teammates would currently describe her as someone who is trying hard and remaining engaged.

Had she not chosen volleyball, she said she would likely play basketball.

Her favorite volleyball player is Andi Jackson. Dilworth admires Jackson’s presence at the net, footwork and ability to read opposing offenses.

“She is so big on the net, has great footwork and her reads are very accurate,” Dilworth said. “I’m trying to become a better reader in the middle, so she is a good player for me to look up to.”

A fun fact about Dilworth is that she took gymnastics when she was younger and loved tumbling. She can still tumble today.

Outside volleyball, she enjoys walking outdoors, listening to music and occasionally reading.

After college, Dilworth hopes to pursue a professional volleyball career. Should that path not work out, she is interested in a mathematics-related profession such as accounting, auditing or bookkeeping.

During her time at Wallace State, Dilworth hopes to be remembered as an athlete who handled pressure, led by example and potentially earned All-American recognition.

Her advice to younger athletes is to remain committed to the sports they love, even when improvement is difficult.

“Don’t quit what you love, no matter how hard it is,” Dilworth said. “You are going to mess up more than once, more than five times and even more than 10 times. Just remember there will always be someone watching you and possibly looking up to you. Keep working and striving to be the next big thing.”