University of Georgia Athletics
Rhoda Finding Her Confidence with Bulldogs
October 13, 2025 | Volleyball
Adam Greene
UGA Sports Communications
Last December, Georgia volleyball announced the signing of outside hitter Adriana Rhoda, one of the top players in Conference USA. The 6-foot-3 Rhoda had played three seasons at Middle Tennessee, earning all-conference honors after each, and was a major addition for the Bulldogs. But moving from Murfreesboro to Athens wasn't the only change that was to come.
One of the first adjustments for Rhoda was a big one: she changed positions. Rhoda moved from the outside to the right side, which places a much greater emphasis on blocking. "It was probably the toughest time this past spring," the Hutchinson, Minn., native said. "It was definitely the most challenged I've been as an athlete on the court. Everything that goes into [blocking] is really hard."
After months of working on what she described as the "same, repetitive" practices and notes, things started to click on the court. In the Bulldogs' past four games, she's recorded double-digit kills twice — 11 against No. 2 Texas and 12 at South Carolina — and over the weekend, she had a combined 15 kills and eight blocks in Georgia's wins at Arkansas and Oklahoma.
With her experience, Rhoda has stepped into the program and become a leader on and off the court. However, the process wasn't as straightforward as she originally thought it would be. "It was a little difficult coming over and trying to keep that leadership role," she said, reflecting on her captaincy at Middle Tennessee. "I'm not super familiar with the tradition and culture here, and when you're not familiar with that, it's hard to be a really strong leader."
That lack of familiarity served almost as a spark for Rhoda, pushing her to practice harder, play even better, and earn the trust and respect of her coaches and teammates. "In the summer and early fall, I started to get my confidence back," Rhoda said, "and that puts a lot of trust in the people around me." As everyone began to see her settling in, their confidence in her grew, and her role on the team expanded.
"Usually when I'm holding back or being more timid is when I tend to make mistakes or be a little more quiet on the court," Rhoda said, emphasizing how communication — just as in every sport — is crucial in volleyball.
"I'm very much the same person on and off the court," Rhoda said, and she prides herself on being "calm and level-headed." When the moment calls for it, though, she can turn up the energy. She explained that's part of building team chemistry, supporting each other no matter what, and prioritizing constructive criticism, especially when things aren't going well.
Her perspective on team success is one deeply rooted in each player's connection with one another: "That connection we have with everyone — it's honestly detrimental." Looking deeper into what Rhoda meant by that, she explained, "You either have that connection or you don't. That's what separates the good teams from the great teams. If we're stuck in a rut during a game, I need to know I can get on you and be a bit more intense and know you're not going to take it personally."
One of her defining traits as a leader is her unwavering commitment to her team, whether in high school, at Middle Tennessee or now at Georgia. "At the end of the day, we are bonded, we're sisters. It doesn't matter what I say to you on the court; you know that I'm here for you no matter what." Rhoda explained that she always encourages her teammates to reach out if they ever want to talk, whether it's about volleyball or anything else.
Now into conference play in her first season with the Bulldogs, Rhoda feels like she has done a fantastic job integrating herself into the culture in Athens. "We talk about it in athletics: 'Commit to the G.' That is literally so big here," she said.
"Moms, dads, grandmas, aunts, uncles, babies, unborn babies … everyone here is a Georgia fan," she said. The culture where Bulldogs support other Bulldogs, regardless of sport, has been a revelation for her, and she's been amazed at how everyone consistently shows up for one another.
Away from the court, Rhoda even surprised herself with what she's enjoyed most in Athens. What might that be? Coffee. "Athens is such a cute little coffee town," she said. She was never a big coffee person before she got to Athens, but she's really enjoyed getting to know the city and all the small cafés where she can grab coffee and study.
"It's a really fun college town. I love it here," she said.
The volleyball team is well into the season now, so Rhoda and the Bulldogs have their focus centered on an SEC championship. She's especially excited for the 10K Day match Friday night at Stegeman Coliseum against Alabama, and hopes to carry the team's early success through the rest of the season.
UGA Sports Communications
Last December, Georgia volleyball announced the signing of outside hitter Adriana Rhoda, one of the top players in Conference USA. The 6-foot-3 Rhoda had played three seasons at Middle Tennessee, earning all-conference honors after each, and was a major addition for the Bulldogs. But moving from Murfreesboro to Athens wasn't the only change that was to come.
One of the first adjustments for Rhoda was a big one: she changed positions. Rhoda moved from the outside to the right side, which places a much greater emphasis on blocking. "It was probably the toughest time this past spring," the Hutchinson, Minn., native said. "It was definitely the most challenged I've been as an athlete on the court. Everything that goes into [blocking] is really hard."
After months of working on what she described as the "same, repetitive" practices and notes, things started to click on the court. In the Bulldogs' past four games, she's recorded double-digit kills twice — 11 against No. 2 Texas and 12 at South Carolina — and over the weekend, she had a combined 15 kills and eight blocks in Georgia's wins at Arkansas and Oklahoma.
With her experience, Rhoda has stepped into the program and become a leader on and off the court. However, the process wasn't as straightforward as she originally thought it would be. "It was a little difficult coming over and trying to keep that leadership role," she said, reflecting on her captaincy at Middle Tennessee. "I'm not super familiar with the tradition and culture here, and when you're not familiar with that, it's hard to be a really strong leader."
That lack of familiarity served almost as a spark for Rhoda, pushing her to practice harder, play even better, and earn the trust and respect of her coaches and teammates. "In the summer and early fall, I started to get my confidence back," Rhoda said, "and that puts a lot of trust in the people around me." As everyone began to see her settling in, their confidence in her grew, and her role on the team expanded.
"Usually when I'm holding back or being more timid is when I tend to make mistakes or be a little more quiet on the court," Rhoda said, emphasizing how communication — just as in every sport — is crucial in volleyball.
"I'm very much the same person on and off the court," Rhoda said, and she prides herself on being "calm and level-headed." When the moment calls for it, though, she can turn up the energy. She explained that's part of building team chemistry, supporting each other no matter what, and prioritizing constructive criticism, especially when things aren't going well.
Her perspective on team success is one deeply rooted in each player's connection with one another: "That connection we have with everyone — it's honestly detrimental." Looking deeper into what Rhoda meant by that, she explained, "You either have that connection or you don't. That's what separates the good teams from the great teams. If we're stuck in a rut during a game, I need to know I can get on you and be a bit more intense and know you're not going to take it personally."
One of her defining traits as a leader is her unwavering commitment to her team, whether in high school, at Middle Tennessee or now at Georgia. "At the end of the day, we are bonded, we're sisters. It doesn't matter what I say to you on the court; you know that I'm here for you no matter what." Rhoda explained that she always encourages her teammates to reach out if they ever want to talk, whether it's about volleyball or anything else.
Now into conference play in her first season with the Bulldogs, Rhoda feels like she has done a fantastic job integrating herself into the culture in Athens. "We talk about it in athletics: 'Commit to the G.' That is literally so big here," she said.
"Moms, dads, grandmas, aunts, uncles, babies, unborn babies … everyone here is a Georgia fan," she said. The culture where Bulldogs support other Bulldogs, regardless of sport, has been a revelation for her, and she's been amazed at how everyone consistently shows up for one another.
Away from the court, Rhoda even surprised herself with what she's enjoyed most in Athens. What might that be? Coffee. "Athens is such a cute little coffee town," she said. She was never a big coffee person before she got to Athens, but she's really enjoyed getting to know the city and all the small cafés where she can grab coffee and study.
"It's a really fun college town. I love it here," she said.
The volleyball team is well into the season now, so Rhoda and the Bulldogs have their focus centered on an SEC championship. She's especially excited for the 10K Day match Friday night at Stegeman Coliseum against Alabama, and hopes to carry the team's early success through the rest of the season.
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