ATLANTA, Ga. (January 27, 2025) - With some new faces here in Atlanta, take some time to learn more about a few of our recent college draftees making their professional career debuts. After having a few weeks of the 2025 season under their belt, the draftees took some time to let us know how the transition to Atlanta has been, some of their favorite volleyball memories, and some other fun facts including what other positions they would play if they could change. Read below to learn a little bit more from Khori Louis, Taylor Head, and Merritt Beason.
Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, middle blocker Khori Louis is excited to be playing her first pro season in Atlanta. Describing training camp as “intense, fun, and competitive,” Louis has enjoyed meeting new teammates and getting to know the area better. “I’ve been able to talk to a lot of the girls and they’re amazing, everyone’s nice and sweet, coaches are very helpful, and so far as an experience it has been good.” Louis is ready to help the Vibe dominate this season; “[My favorite part] is the competitiveness of the sport and the relationships you make.”
A two time All-ACC first team honoree, Louis said her favorite volleyball memory was winning the ACC championship last year with the Florida State Seminoles. Louis had the opportunity to take part in the 2024 USA Volleyball Spring Training Camp, learning from the US National Women’s Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly. When reminiscing on the experience, she stated “Everyone there was so talented, making it such an eye-opening experience for me. I felt it was a space where I could push myself to the best of my abilities, very similar to the environment here in Atlanta.”
Making resounding impacts as a middle blocker so far, Louis averages a hitting percentage of .500 on the season. If she had the choice, she claimed taking on the role of outside hitter would be the most exhilarating position.
Speaking of outside hitters, Taylor Head, who started playing volleyball at age eight, is ecstatic for the remainder of the season ahead. Team chemistry is a non-negotiable for Head, and she has expressed gratitude for the people she has encountered throughout her career: “The people around me are what make the sport really fun.” From grabbing ice cream as a team after practice to helping teammates get settled, veterans of the Vibe are helping rookies feel more at home. Before her time at Florida State, Head helped bring the University of Arkansas to the regional semifinals in the NCAA tournament in 2023, the furthest the school had ever been in the tournament - a feat that Head is most fond of.
Head has competed since a young age, and gave advice to those young girls hoping to pursue a career in volleyball: “I would tell my younger self to be diverse in your skillset, trying to learn a little bit of every position, not honing in on just one area of the game.” With this in mind, even though her passion lies right in the position she currently is in, Head wouldn’t mind taking a stab at being a setter.
Neither would opposite hitter Merritt Beason, the former Nebraska Cornhusker and PVF number one draft pick. Although she claims she “can’t set to save her life,” it’s a role Beason would love to take on. Since arriving in Atlanta, Beason has focused on settling in; “[We’re all] trying to get into a routine and figure everything out practice and volleyball wise before we explore, so that’s kind of been our main focus.”
Recently living in Lincoln for her collegiate career, the change in scenery has been good, “It’s fun living in Atlanta, there’s a lot to do!” In addition to her unforgettable seasons with the University of Nebraska, Beason’s favorite volleyball memory is winning the Pan American Games in 2022. And much like Head, one of the most special parts of volleyball to Beason are the people: “I like that everyone relies on everyone while playing although sometimes that can be frustrating, I like that there are so many moving pieces that have to fit together.”
Be sure to secure your tickets to our upcoming home matches on Thursday, February 6th and Saturday, February 8th at Gas South Arena to watch these rookies take the court. Find tickets in this link to purchase today!
About the Atlanta Vibe
The Atlanta Vibe is one of eight teams competing in the Professional Volleyball Federation’s historic second season in 2025. As Atlanta’s professional women’s indoor volleyball team and the city’s second fully professional women’s sports team, the Vibe continues to build a legacy in women’s sports. For more information, visit atlantavibe.com.
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