A BRAVE college volleyball player has lost her battle with bone cancer.
Mercer University announced the death of Aliyah ‘Ali’ Waldon on Monday.
Mercer University have announced the death of volleyball star Aliyah Waldon[/caption]
Waldon joined the Bears in 2023 and was named to the All-Southern Conference team as a rookie.
In 2024, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare but aggressive cancer in the femur, per PEOPLE.
Waldon had been nagged by a persistent pain in her hip.
But instead of discovering an injury at a routine scan, a six-inch tumor was found.
Ali returned to Florida for treatment but lost her battle with the cruel disease on Sunday.
Her mom Julie Rodgers had been documenting Ali’s journey on a GoFundMe page.
“Our hearts are shattered,” Waldon’s mother wrote on Sunday after confirming her passing.
“Ali would not want us to be sad, she was not amongst the ordinary.
“She was the funniest, happiest, most loving person I’ve ever known and I was blessed to be her mom!”
Waldon was able to return to Georgia to support her teammates in selected games during the 2024 season, per WMAZ.
The team wore ribbons and t-shirts throughout the year in support of their star.
“Our hearts are extremely heavy tonight as the entire Mercer community mourns the passing of Aliyah ‘Ali’ Waldon,” the team wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“Ali was a tremendous teammate, daughter and friend whose smile could light up Hawkins Arena.
“Ali brought the entire volleyball community together in her fight.
“She will be sorely missed.”
“She was such a joy to the whole volleyball and mercer community. we love you Ali,” wrote one devastated supporter in the comments.
“Rest In paradise Ali, a great teammate and an even better person,” said another.
“Forever in my heart and with me,” added a third.
