Greenville, SC – The NCCAA is excited to recognize Sydney Anderson of Pensacola Christian College as the 2025 Dr. Vickie Grooms Denny Award Recipient for Division II Women’s Volleyball.

Junior Sydney Anderson has been one of the best middle hitters in the country since stepping foot on the Pensacola Christian campus, ranking in the top five in the country each of the last two seasons in blocks, blocks per set, kills, and hitting percentage. As a sophomore, Anderson was named an NCCAA First Team All-American and South First Team All-Regional, finishing runner-up for National Player of the Year. So far in her junior campaign, Anderson is on pace to repeat as an All-American while leading the country in kills with over 300. Anderson already has her name etched in the Pensacola record books, as she holds the program record for hitting percentage at .322. Her success has made a significant impact on the Eagles as a team, boasting a winning record in each season Anderson has been on the roster. 
 
Despite everything Anderson has done on the court, it is what she does off the court that brings joy to so many around her. After being raised in a Christian home, Anderson’s curiosity for how to serve Christ well began at just 10 years of age when she accepted the Lord into her heart. She was baptized at age 16 and committed her life to the Lord at the age of 17. All these decisions have led Anderson to finding ways to use her gifts to serve the Lord. One way she does this is through service in church. Anderson has a heart for special needs and helps every Sunday in the special needs classes at her church in Pensacola. When she goes home to Georgia, she steps right back in and helps in many areas of the church she grew up in as well. Over the summer, Anderson has been a camp counselor and team leader. This past summer, she had the opportunity to lead her first student to Christ and sparked a desire to continue to pursue evangelism as part of her ministry. 
 
Anderson is pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies at Pensacola Christian with a focus on business, education, and Bible and holds a 3.65 GPA. In her degree, Anderson plans to use her gifts to continue to equip others in a relationship with Christ. 
 
“This year the Pensacola Christian volleyball team did not choose captains. Instead, a leadership team was chosen. Sydney was one of the first chosen by her teammates to be on the leadership team,” stated Head Coach Ryan Vanderboegh. “She is one of the hardest workers on the team and always wants the success of her teammates before herself. She does her best to lead by serving others.”
 
Vanderboegh added, “Having known Coach Denny for the past 10 years, Sydney and Coach Denny are very similar in the way they both treat others with kindness, respect, and pointing others to Christ as well as how they lead those around them. Sydney is an excellent candidate for this award, especially knowing she wants to take volleyball and use it beyond her playing years in college to further the Kingdom of Christ.”
 
Other Finalists
Brooke Behlen, Calvary University
Alyssa Heagney, Crown College
Jennika Beach, Emmaus University
Maci Tripp, North Central University
Alcista Miller, Trinity Bible College
Kyrsten Nolen, Grace Christian University
Tara Tackett, Arlington Baptist University
Belle Wirges, Faith Baptist Bible College
 
Award Description
As the former head coach at Maranatha Baptist College, Clearwater Christian College, and Bob Jones University, Dr. Vickie Grooms Denny teams have won 20 NCCAA National Championships. An inductee into the NCCAA Hall of Fame (2005), she has served as NCCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Chair, member President, and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Overshadowing her many accomplishments, it is her pursuit of excellence on and off the court as a reflection of Jesus Christ that stands above the wins.

 
 

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