By Loyd McIntosh Photo by Jordan Wald
At 17, Sullivan Todd has already lived a full volleyball life.
She has won a national championship with her club team, worn the Team U.S.A. jersey at a world event in China and signed to play college volleyball at Mississippi State. This fall, the high school senior is doing something she hasn’t had a chance to do: play for Mountain Brook High School.
Like many elite athletes in a handful of sports— soccer, baseball and volleyball in particular—college recruiting occurs at the club level, meaning many kids can’t play for their high schools due to conflicting schedules, obligations, and, in some cases, strict rules set by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (ASHAA).
However, with her future secured, Todd decided to suit up for the Spartans in 2026, and it’s evident that she is having the time of her life.
“It’s been super fun just because I love the aspect of getting to play for my school and wear that name across my jersey, especially playing in front of a big crowd,” says Todd shortly after a two-hour practice session. “It’s been really fun to have the whole school and my friends come and support our games, and it really helps the atmosphere in the gym.”
Though she has competed all over the world, playing for her high school has been a special and personal experience. Todd, who started playing volleyball when she was nine years old, has been friends with many of the players for years. While parachuting onto the team as a senior could have been awkward, Todd says her teammates embraced her wholeheartedly.
“Just having a team I see every day at school and in the hallway, we’re like, ‘it’s game day.’ So it’s been great having all the girls together, and everyone’s so sweet, Todd says.
“The two other seniors, Adele Moffatt and Sullivan Lell, I’ve been best friends with them since I was probably like five, so it was easy to kind of mesh into the team,” adds Todd. “They had been after me for a while, so I’m really glad I joined.”
Todd is a highly regarded 5-10 setter and, despite having no school varsity experience, is listed as one of the top high school players in the state on several prep sports news outlets. The majority of her accomplishments and accolades have come via her club team, Alabama Performance Volleyball Club (APVC).
In June, Todd and her APVC teammates won the AAU Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in the 18 and Under Club division held in Orlando, Florida. However, Todd’s biggest accomplishment occurred last summer as a member of the USA U18 National Team.
Team USA competed in the ISF World School Volleyball Championship held July 1 through 10 in Shangluo, China. Todd was recruited for the team by head coach Terri Kaiser during a club tournament in Reno, Nevada, along with athletes from all over the nation.
Competing in a tournament consisting of 62 teams from 29 countries, Team USA performed admirably, coming in fifth place. Todd says playing for her country was an unforgettable experience, and she gained valuable insight into high-level volleyball.
“I loved getting to see that part of the world, especially with people I just met. The team bonded really well. We got really close very fast,” Todd says.
“That international style of play was so different than anything I have seen, especially the Chinese team,” Todd adds. “The way they do everything is just so different and hard to read, but it was a really good challenge and very eye-opening.”
Now wearing green and gold, Todd brings a wealth of experience to the Spartans volleyball team, one of Alabama’s most successful programs. Head Coach Mattie Gardner says she was excited and a bit surprised when Todd turned up for tryouts last spring.
“Sullivan is a fantastic player, so it was obviously great news when she decided that for her senior year she wanted to play for her school this season,” says Gardner. “Of course, I had to give her a hard time, like, ‘hey, it’s about time you come play for your school. Better late than never.’”
“I’m so excited for Sullivan to experience school ball because there’s just nothing like playing for your school, and the team has welcomed her with open arms,” Gardner adds. “She has done such a good job of coming in very humbly and just wanting to be a part of the team and help in any way that she can.”
As the 2026 high school season rolls along, Todd said she would love to lift the AHSAA state championship trophy at the end of the season with her friends and teammates. But as long as they perform at their highest level, Todd will consider her season a Spartan success.
“Obviously, our goal is always to win state,” Todd says, “but I think it will be a win in our book if we become the best team that we can be.”
