Words by Marla Price | Images by Al Blanton
Addison High School sophomore AnnaBeth Powell is focused on continuing excellence in athletics, academics, and service to others.
A setter for the Addison Lady Bulldogs, AnnaBeth has been playing volleyball since fourth grade. Her dedication to the sport has paid off—she’s already recorded an impressive 2113 assists, 357 kills, 666 digs, and 175 aces, with some of those coming during the 1A State Volleyball Championship where Addison captured its 15th state title. Her outstanding performance also earned her a well-deserved spot on the 1A All-State Tournament Team, along with All-Area and All-County honors for 2025.
In addition to volleyball, AnnaBeth enjoys playing softball. Her father, who has also been her travel softball coach, has been a major influence in shaping her attitude toward competition. “He always tells me that no matter how I feel about how I played, I shouldn’t carry that outside the field or the court,” AnnaBeth said. “It doesn’t matter how bad or how good I played—I still need to be a good person.”
She draws inspiration from Nebraska volleyball player Bergen Reilly, admiring how Reilly wasn’t the top player when she first moved to Nebraska, but she worked her way up.
AnnaBeth’s commitment to character and community extends beyond athletics. Through Beta Club, she has volunteered at local nursing homes, where she and her classmates sang carols and helped with community events. As a member of DECA, she helps organize blood drives and toy drives that benefit local families.
Among her favorite memories is being pulled up to play in the state volleyball tournament as an eighth grader—a special experience made even more memorable when the team celebrated Halloween by dressing up and trick-or-treating at their parents’ hotel rooms between games.
Looking ahead, AnnaBeth hopes to play volleyball in college and earn a degree in business or a health-related field.
AnnaBeth enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends. When the weather is warm, she loves relaxing on the lake with family and friends—a well-deserved break for a young athlete whose hard work, heart, and humility make her a standout both on and off the court and the field. 67
