Sophia Overholt measures her success in small wins. A clean pass. A perfectly timed dig. A dessert that comes out just right. The USC Upstate freshman libero has learned that the details matter, whether she’s talking about volleyball or baking, two things she loves that reward patience, consistency and trust in the process. That mindset helped Overholt step into a new role, steady a young Spartan roster and quietly put together one of the most productive freshman seasons in program history.

Much like her baking hobby, libero play is about consistency. You show up every time, clean things up when they get messy, and do a lot of work that doesn't always make the highlight reel. Overholt embraced that role quickly and by season’s end, she had become one of the key ingredients in USC Upstate’s recipe for success.

A native of nearby Tryon, North Carolina, Overholt’s path to Spartanburg was not always obvious. She never had USC Upstate on her radar until the program reached out, but familiarity followed quickly. One of her club coaches, Justin Sanders, was already on the staff, and once she stepped on campus, the decision began to take shape.

“At first I didn’t have a lot of expectations for the area and campus,” Overholt said. “But once I really looked around, it’s gorgeous, especially in the fall. It had everything I needed, and Coach Ali and Coach Justin really sold me on the place.”

The proximity to home, about 25 minutes away, went from a concern to a comfort. Overholt admits she originally wanted more distance, but quickly realized the benefit of having family close by, especially during a demanding freshman year.

“I can go home if I need to, but I don’t have to,” she said. “My family can come to the games, and if I have a down day, I can meet up with them. It’s been a blessing.”

On the court, Overholt arrived without expectations of immediate playing time. A former outside hitter at the club level, she envisioned herself as a defensive specialist learning the ropes. Instead, an unexpected shift placed her in the libero jersey early in the season, forcing a rapid adjustment.

That transition came with nerves, especially during early scrimmages, but confidence followed quickly.

“I remember after a scrimmage, I just told myself, you know how to play volleyball,” she said. “You can do this.”

She did more than just do it. Overholt appeared in 25 matches and 97 sets, led the team with 454 digs and averaged 4.68 digs per set. She recorded double-digit digs in 23 matches and topped the 30-dig mark three times, including a program-record 36 digs by a freshman against Gardner-Webb. By season’s end, she earned Honorable Mention All-Big South recognition, a spot on the All-Freshman Team and multiple weekly conference honors.

Her success was not built overnight. A knee injury during her senior year of high school sidelined her for much of the season, forcing her to watch from the bench and focus on rehab. She returned just in time for the postseason and helped Polk County High School win a state championship, earning MVP honors along the way.

“That year taught me a lot,” Overholt said. “Being out and having to work really hard just to come back made winning that championship really special.”

Now healthy and settled into the college game, Overholt is already looking ahead. She is focusing on strength, conditioning and expanding her volleyball IQ, but also on something that does not show up in the stat sheet.

“I want to be more vocal and become a leader,” she said. “I know the coaches, I know my teammates now. I want to make sure my voice is heard and help pick people up when they need it.”

That leadership is especially important for a young core that helped USC Upstate finish 14-14. Overholt was part of a freshman trio that played a major role in that success. Alongside outside hitter Summer Kohler and middle blocker Kensley Haneline, the group collected All-Big South honors and all three were named to the league’s All-Freshman Team, the most selections in a single season in program history.

For Overholt, the future includes goals beyond volleyball. She is majoring in sports management and hopes to become a high school athletic director and coach one day. And maybe, somewhere down the line, open a small café.

Sweet treats can wait. There is still a lot of volleyball left to play.