Rising Setter: Ava Wallis Emerging as One of the Chants’ Top Players
11/10/2025 12:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. — When setter Ava Wallis entered the transfer portal following her freshman season at Northeastern, she was seeking a change — one that felt right both on and off the court.
"I wanted to be closer to home, and I've always loved the beach," Wallis said. "I actually played with Nyla Shepard, who played here at Coastal and was a grad student at Northeastern, and she always talked so highly about it. So, I reached out, and then I talked to Susan [Clements] and Steve [Loeswick], and they were just so welcoming. It just felt like the right fit."
That decision has paid off in every way — on the court and beyond.
"It's been so amazing," she said with a smile. "We all get along so well on and off the court. It's like a sisterhood, and I couldn't be happier. We're just a bunch of best friends hanging out and playing a sport that we love."
Wallis has grown steadily since arriving in Conway. After playing behind veteran Cagla Bengi last season, she has emerged this year as one of Coastal's primary setters — a key cog in a team pushing toward the top of the Sun Belt standings.
"Every day in practice, we battle," Wallis said. "Jalyn [Stout], Bella [Loeswick], and I are always fighting for positions, and we push each other. I think we have a really tight-knit group. Once I'm on the court, I just try to play my best and do what's best for the team, because even if you play well or poorly, it's still about the team result."
Playing alongside Stout, the NCAA career record holder for triple-doubles, has also helped Wallis elevate her game.
"It's so fun," Wallis said. "She just brings this fire that, honestly, sometimes scares me—but in a good way. She's so gritty, and I've learned a lot from her, especially defensively. She's not afraid to go for the ball, and that's pushed me to be more aggressive and consistent."
That consistency has shown in her numbers. Wallis has posted 10 double-doubles this season while leading the Chanticleers in assists and ranking third in digs — a testament to her all-around development.
"I'm doing my best to help my teammates," she said. "My blockers set up good placements for me to dig, our liberos and defensive specialists make great plays, and my hitters finish it. It's all connected — a total team effort."
CCU head coach Steve Loeswick said Wallis' on-court maturity and leadership have become a key part of the Chanticleers' identity.
"Ava has always been a solid setter and a strong athlete, but now she's doing some things on the court that are really important to our success," Loeswick said. "She has a great understanding of the game and does an excellent job making sure we're using our offensive options at the right times. She's also developed an effective serve that's helped us score points from the back row, and she's taken on more of a leadership role within the team. She's doing a terrific job in every area — she's become someone we can truly count on."
Wallis credits Loeswick's mentorship as a major influence on her growth.
"Learning from Steve is probably one of the luckiest things I could have gotten here at Coastal," she said. "He played at USC (Southern Cal.) and was a setter himself, so he understands our perspective. When we work as individuals, it's just us setters and Steve — we have great conversations, and I always feel confident that he trusts me to make the right decisions. Even when I'm struggling, I know I can talk to him."
That confidence has also translated into her communication and leadership.
"I think bringing more communication to my role is something I've always wanted," Wallis said. "As a setter, you've got to talk through plays and situations, and I love cheering for my teammates. There are so many little things that people don't always notice, like a great dig or block — I love celebrating those moments."
As she's grown, Wallis has also become more comfortable embracing her role as a vocal leader on the court.
"I wouldn't say it's a challenge," she said. "We've got a lot of people who are becoming vocal leaders — Jalyn, Bailee, Anna — and I think that's great. Everyone has a voice, whether you're a freshman or a senior. I just try to make sure I'm saying the right things at the right times and keeping us connected."
For Wallis, that connection — energy, communication, and chemistry — defines what makes this year's Coastal Carolina team special.
"When we're talking and communicating, everything just comes together on the court," she said. "When there's energy on the court, no one can stop us — that's when we're at our best, and that's what makes this team so special."
"I wanted to be closer to home, and I've always loved the beach," Wallis said. "I actually played with Nyla Shepard, who played here at Coastal and was a grad student at Northeastern, and she always talked so highly about it. So, I reached out, and then I talked to Susan [Clements] and Steve [Loeswick], and they were just so welcoming. It just felt like the right fit."
That decision has paid off in every way — on the court and beyond.
"It's been so amazing," she said with a smile. "We all get along so well on and off the court. It's like a sisterhood, and I couldn't be happier. We're just a bunch of best friends hanging out and playing a sport that we love."
Wallis has grown steadily since arriving in Conway. After playing behind veteran Cagla Bengi last season, she has emerged this year as one of Coastal's primary setters — a key cog in a team pushing toward the top of the Sun Belt standings.
"Every day in practice, we battle," Wallis said. "Jalyn [Stout], Bella [Loeswick], and I are always fighting for positions, and we push each other. I think we have a really tight-knit group. Once I'm on the court, I just try to play my best and do what's best for the team, because even if you play well or poorly, it's still about the team result."
Playing alongside Stout, the NCAA career record holder for triple-doubles, has also helped Wallis elevate her game.
"It's so fun," Wallis said. "She just brings this fire that, honestly, sometimes scares me—but in a good way. She's so gritty, and I've learned a lot from her, especially defensively. She's not afraid to go for the ball, and that's pushed me to be more aggressive and consistent."
That consistency has shown in her numbers. Wallis has posted 10 double-doubles this season while leading the Chanticleers in assists and ranking third in digs — a testament to her all-around development.
"I'm doing my best to help my teammates," she said. "My blockers set up good placements for me to dig, our liberos and defensive specialists make great plays, and my hitters finish it. It's all connected — a total team effort."
CCU head coach Steve Loeswick said Wallis' on-court maturity and leadership have become a key part of the Chanticleers' identity.
"Ava has always been a solid setter and a strong athlete, but now she's doing some things on the court that are really important to our success," Loeswick said. "She has a great understanding of the game and does an excellent job making sure we're using our offensive options at the right times. She's also developed an effective serve that's helped us score points from the back row, and she's taken on more of a leadership role within the team. She's doing a terrific job in every area — she's become someone we can truly count on."
Wallis credits Loeswick's mentorship as a major influence on her growth.
"Learning from Steve is probably one of the luckiest things I could have gotten here at Coastal," she said. "He played at USC (Southern Cal.) and was a setter himself, so he understands our perspective. When we work as individuals, it's just us setters and Steve — we have great conversations, and I always feel confident that he trusts me to make the right decisions. Even when I'm struggling, I know I can talk to him."
That confidence has also translated into her communication and leadership.
"I think bringing more communication to my role is something I've always wanted," Wallis said. "As a setter, you've got to talk through plays and situations, and I love cheering for my teammates. There are so many little things that people don't always notice, like a great dig or block — I love celebrating those moments."
As she's grown, Wallis has also become more comfortable embracing her role as a vocal leader on the court.
"I wouldn't say it's a challenge," she said. "We've got a lot of people who are becoming vocal leaders — Jalyn, Bailee, Anna — and I think that's great. Everyone has a voice, whether you're a freshman or a senior. I just try to make sure I'm saying the right things at the right times and keeping us connected."
For Wallis, that connection — energy, communication, and chemistry — defines what makes this year's Coastal Carolina team special.
"When we're talking and communicating, everything just comes together on the court," she said. "When there's energy on the court, no one can stop us — that's when we're at our best, and that's what makes this team so special."
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