A trio of Gators have joined the 2027 class. // Photo by Gabriella Childers | UAA Communications
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Volleyball
Amelia Albright, Ella Gravlee and Lyla Huggins are officially Gators.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida volleyball head coach Ryan Theis has announced the signing of three athletes to the 2027 class: Amelia Albright, Ella Gravlee and Lyla Huggins, who are set to become Gators for the 2027 season.
Head Coach Ryan Theis on Albright:
"Amelia actually showed up at a college prep camp two summers ago and blew us away. As the camp went on, her confidence grew and we knew she would be something special. Her athleticism has forced her to set and hit for almost every team she has been on, so we are excited for her to commit to setting 100% of the time. Amelia was born into a Gator family and we are excited to have her and to have her parents back in Gainesville."
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
Off the Court
Why Amelia chose Florida:
"I chose the University of Florida because once I got on campus and interacted with all of my future teammates and coaches, it felt right. The culture and community they hold at the University of Florida is something so rare that no other college I was interested in had. I was also raised a Florida Gator because of my family's attendance at the University of Florida before me, so it has always been a dream to play volleyball here and it is already in my blood. The program also meets the level and expectation I have worked hard to soon play at."
Ella Gravlee | Outside Hitter/Opposite | 6-2 | Vero Beach, Fla. | Vero Beach HS | Winter Park VC
Head Coach Ryan Theis on Gravlee:
"Ella is physical! She has a rare combination of point scoring and ball handling. Her improvement from 15 to 17 years old is incredibly impressive. We think there is another level once she gets into our gym. Gator blood runs in her family: her mother, Julie, and sister, Madi, are both part of the Florida volleyball family, and we hope she'll set kill records as a Gator, too!"
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
Off the Court
Why Ella chose Florida:
"I've been a Florida Gator and UF volleyball fan my whole life. Choosing Florida represents the best of both worlds: high academics and high-level athletics. High academics was a priority for me, having a degree from Florida is a differentiator for my long-term goals. At the same time, I wanted the opportunity to compete at the highest level with incredible teammates and coaches in a well-supported program. At Florida, competing in the SEC, volleyball feels like a priority with the level of support from the administration and fans."
Lyla Huggins | Libero | 5-7 | Williston, Fla. | Trinity Catholic HS | Ocala Power United Volleyball
Head Coach Ryan Theis on Huggins:
"Lyla has a great touch on the ball and can handle pace. She also comes with a fearless defensive attitude and a lot of grit. Lyla's high school coach, Jeff Reavis, has a long history with Gators volleyball and has coached several Gators over the years. He reached out two years ago about Lyla and we were very impressed."
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
Off the Court
Why Lyla chose Florida:
"I mean, who wouldn't want to be a Gator?! Being a Gator volleyball player has been a dream of mine since starting volleyball at nine years old. I attended camps for many years. I'm a local girl, born in Gainesville, raised in Williston and attended school in Ocala. This is Gator country, so when I was offered a spot on the team, it was a no-brainer decision for me. My family and I are super excited for this next chapter and we feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity."
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"This class is well skilled and has a tremendous work ethic," Theis said. "They are the right mix of talent, personality and grit. We are excited to welcome two of them this January, with Lyla joining us this summer."
Amelia Albright | Setter | 5-11 | Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown HS | Austin Junior VolleyballHead Coach Ryan Theis on Albright:
"Amelia actually showed up at a college prep camp two summers ago and blew us away. As the camp went on, her confidence grew and we knew she would be something special. Her athleticism has forced her to set and hit for almost every team she has been on, so we are excited for her to commit to setting 100% of the time. Amelia was born into a Gator family and we are excited to have her and to have her parents back in Gainesville."
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
- AVCA All-America Watchlist (2026)
- LGE All-Tournament Team (2026)
- Volleypalooza MVP-Setter (2026)
- THSCA Super-Elite Team (2025)
- All-American Watchlist (2025)
- AVCA Phenom (2024, 2025)
- 23-5A District MVP (2025)
- First Team All-District (2025)
- TGCA All-State (2025)
- TXSW All-State (2025)
- Ranked No. 61 in PrepDig National High School Rankings
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
- Invited to USA Volleyball NTDP Summer Training Series (2025, 2026)
- Invited to USAV NTDP Spring Training Series (2026)
- Under Armour Next Training Series (2025, 2026)
- Academic All-District (2025)
- JVA Watchlist
Off the Court
- Competed for Georgetown HS track and field, earning MVP honors (2021, 2022) and finishing as a regional finalist in the high jump
- Is a middle school mentor at her church and participates in DMG community Bible study
- Her mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, aunt and two uncles all attended the University of Florida and are diehard Gators fans
- Her cousin, Chandler Parsons, played basketball at UF (2007–11) and was inducted into the Florida Athletics Hall of Fame (2022)
Why Amelia chose Florida:
"I chose the University of Florida because once I got on campus and interacted with all of my future teammates and coaches, it felt right. The culture and community they hold at the University of Florida is something so rare that no other college I was interested in had. I was also raised a Florida Gator because of my family's attendance at the University of Florida before me, so it has always been a dream to play volleyball here and it is already in my blood. The program also meets the level and expectation I have worked hard to soon play at."
Head Coach Ryan Theis on Gravlee:
"Ella is physical! She has a rare combination of point scoring and ball handling. Her improvement from 15 to 17 years old is incredibly impressive. We think there is another level once she gets into our gym. Gator blood runs in her family: her mother, Julie, and sister, Madi, are both part of the Florida volleyball family, and we hope she'll set kill records as a Gator, too!"
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
- Four-year varsity letterwinner
- Vero Beach HS all-time kill leader, leading the team in kills, hitting percentage, kills per set, digs and receptions every season
- First Team All-District (2023–26)
- District champions (2024, 2026)
- Player of the Year (2025, 2026)
- Ranked No. 24 in PrepDig National High School Rankings
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
- Under Armour Next All-American Game selection (2026–27)
- Open 17 Sunshine Classic champion
- Florida Gold Series champion
- Southern Exposure champion
- Placed third at Triple Crown 17 Open
- Placed third at Northeast Qualifier
- AAU 17 Open Nationals finalist
- AAU All-American honors
- NTDP Beach (2023–26)
- NTDP Indoor (2025, 2026)
Off the Court
- Member of National Junior Honor Society
- Three-year varsity letterwinner in beach volleyball at VBHS
- First Team All-District (2023–25) in beach volleyball
- State finalist (2023, 2025) in beach volleyball
- Played lacrosse and rode horses before high school
- Her mother, Julie Gravlee, played volleyball at UF (1993–96), and her father, Russ Gravlee, played football at Florida (1997–99)
- Her sister, Madi, currently plays on the Florida volleyball team
- Her brother, Jackson, is a freshman quarterback at VMI
Why Ella chose Florida:
"I've been a Florida Gator and UF volleyball fan my whole life. Choosing Florida represents the best of both worlds: high academics and high-level athletics. High academics was a priority for me, having a degree from Florida is a differentiator for my long-term goals. At the same time, I wanted the opportunity to compete at the highest level with incredible teammates and coaches in a well-supported program. At Florida, competing in the SEC, volleyball feels like a priority with the level of support from the administration and fans."
Head Coach Ryan Theis on Huggins:
"Lyla has a great touch on the ball and can handle pace. She also comes with a fearless defensive attitude and a lot of grit. Lyla's high school coach, Jeff Reavis, has a long history with Gators volleyball and has coached several Gators over the years. He reached out two years ago about Lyla and we were very impressed."
High School Accomplishments/Accolades
- Five-year varsity letterwinner
- First Team All-County (2024–26)
- FACA All-Star Team selection (2026)
- 2A state runner-up (2024, 2026)
- Regional champion (2024, 2026)
- District champions (2022–26)
- Trinity Catholic Libero Award winner (2024–26)
Additional Accomplishments/Accolades
- Team Florida/High Performance Girls U19 International champions (2026)
- Team Florida/High Performance Girls U19 International All-Tournament Team (2026)
- USA Volleyball All-Tournament Team (2025)
- Placed seventh at USAV Nationals (2025), third (2024) and second (2022)
- AAU Nationals champion (2022)
- AAU 13U Nationals All-Star (2022)
Off the Court
- Member of National Honor Society
- Played beach volleyball (2025, 2026) and will compete again in 2027
- Named Best Defensive Player for beach volleyball (2025, 2026) and earned All-County First Team honors both years
- Shows cattle all over the Southeast when not in school or playing volleyball
- Volunteers with Project Hope, Ocala Power United mini clubs and Williston Church of God Vacation Bible School
- Her mother, Waica Micheletti, owns The Ivy House, a historic landmark restaurant in Williston, Fla.
- Agriculture is a big part of her family, which harvests timber, raises cattle and does land clearing
- Seventh-generation Floridian whose 4x great-grandfather, Peter Hale, was among the first to survey Florida after it was purchased from Spain
Why Lyla chose Florida:
"I mean, who wouldn't want to be a Gator?! Being a Gator volleyball player has been a dream of mine since starting volleyball at nine years old. I attended camps for many years. I'm a local girl, born in Gainesville, raised in Williston and attended school in Ocala. This is Gator country, so when I was offered a spot on the team, it was a no-brainer decision for me. My family and I are super excited for this next chapter and we feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity."
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