(Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

As the 2025-26 season starts, Johnson County Community College’s volleyball lineup has been stacked with young and youthful energy, and it’s paying off in a big way.

Freshmen Alana Brewster (7), Lilly Waters (8), and Ava Esser (12) have each delivered standout performances that are already helping the team’s dynamic, and it’s offering a glimpse at a promising future.

Brewster has come out of the shadows as a steady presence at the net, recording 56 kills in her first 27 sets while hitting an efficient .320–well above the team’s average. Her ability to finish plays and stay consistent makes her a reliable option in high pressure moments.

Waters was a standout from Derby High School and has quickly adjusted to the college level, after a tough injury that you wouldn’t even realize happened. Known for her versatility and defensive toughness in high school, she has carried that same energy into her freshman season at JCCC, giving the Cavaliers a player who won’t give up and can contribute in multiple ways.

Esser has made the biggest splash of the season offensively, averaging 3.5 kills per set and delivering a record-breaking 31-kill performance earlier this season. Her scoring ability has already given JCCC a go-to option in key situations, arming the Cavaliers with a dynamic scoring threat.

Together, Brewster, Waters, and Esser bring depth, energy, and confidence to the Cavaliers Volleyball team. Their early contribution is not only boosting this year’s lineup, but also laying the groundwork for the team’s future.