Mercer University’s women’s volleyball team is mourning the heartbreaking loss of sophomore player Aliyah “Ali” Waldon, who passed away at just 19 years old after a courageous battle with bone cancer.
The team announced the news on Monday, Sept. 29, sharing that Ali died peacefully on Sunday. In their tribute, they remembered her as “a tremendous teammate” and asked the Mercer community to hold her family close in thought and prayer.
“Our hearts are extremely heavy tonight as the entire Mercer community mourns the passing of Aliyah ‘Ali’ Waldon,” the team wrote. “Ali was a tremendous teammate, daughter and friend whose smile could light up Hawkins Arena. She brought the volleyball community together in her fight, and she will be deeply missed.”
A native of Odessa, Fla., Ali joined Mercer’s volleyball program in 2023 and quickly proved herself as a standout, earning a spot on the All-Southern Conference team after scoring 210 points across 28 matches, according to People.
Later that same year, her life took a devastating turn. Persistent hip pain led to an MRI that revealed osteosarcoma — a rare and aggressive bone cancer in her femur. What she thought was a sports injury became a life-altering diagnosis, forcing her to step away from the court during her sophomore season.
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Despite the grueling treatments, Ali remained a powerful source of inspiration. Her teammates wore warm-up shirts emblazoned with the word “fight,” the “i” replaced by a yellow ribbon for cancer awareness. Whenever her health allowed, Ali returned to campus to cheer her teammates on in person, her presence lifting spirits in the arena she once commanded.
Her mother, Julie Rodgers, chronicled her daughter’s brave journey through more than 100 updates on GoFundMe, ultimately sharing the heartbreaking news of her passing on Sunday.
Aliyah “Ali” Waldon will be remembered not only for her talent on the court but also for her strength, resilience, and the light she brought to everyone who knew her.
