ORLANDO, Fla. (WCIA) — Ava Yeakel earned All-American honors at the 2025 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships.

The incoming senior at MSHS played a key role in the Bulldogs’ first-ever state title run in volleyball last fall.

She’s weighing her options to play in college, holding offers from schools like Roosevelt University, Heartland, and Parkland, among others.

Yeakel said she’s seen big progress in her game over the past year, aided by plenty of practice outside of the fall season.

“Maybe just growing into my body more, learning the sport more, and also volleyball’s just such an experience sport,” Yeakel said. “The more you do it, the more touches you get, the more your experience grows, and your volleyball IQ.” “I definitely think that I’ve gotten a lot better throughout the years, and amazing coaches too, so I have to give credit to them as well.”