For Arlington junior Addison “Addi” Harris, the long hours in the gym have paid off. The standout outside hitter has committed to continue her volleyball career at Ole Miss, bringing her relentless work ethic to the SEC.
“I actually sacrificed a lot. I missed a lot of friend functions, birthday parties, just to be in the gym getting extra work and extra reps to get better each and every day,” Harris said.
That commitment translated into results on the court. Harris recorded more than 350 kills, 200 digs and 45 aces in her sophomore season, helping lead the Tigers to the region championship. She was named to the All-State team and recognized as one of the top recruits in Tennessee.
But for Harris, success isn’t only about statistics.
“What motivates me to keep playing is seeing other kids looking up to me,” she said. “I just always want to show them the best person I can be.”
Arlington head coach Kenzie Cooley said Harris has been a game-changer for the program.
“She’s just super competitive, she never wants to lose,” Cooley said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s running sprints, a drill or an actual game. She has that drive to push herself, and it sets the tone for everyone else.”
Teammates say Harris’ energy and personality make her just as impactful off the court.
“I think Addi is very animated. She’s very engaging, she likes to play around with us and mess around, and she’s just a really good teammate in general,” said junior teammate Eman Nuhic.
The future Rebel credits her coaches for pushing her through the toughest moments and preparing her for the next level.
“My coaches have always been hard on me, and just always push me to be the best I can be,” she said. “I really appreciate them for always pushing me whenever things get hard.”
As she prepares to trade Arlington blue for Ole Miss red, Harris said she hopes to leave a legacy of work ethic and leadership for the Tigers who come after her.
“I want people to know that if you put in the work, it pays off,” she said. “That’s what got me here.”
Harris and the Tigers were expected to play Cordova on Monday, Oct. 6, but gained the win due to a forfeit. They are awaiting their next playoff opponent.
