Three AU Pro Volleyball Athletes Earn Impact Award Nominations for Community Leadership
Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball has announced three nominees for the 2025 Impact Award, recognizing athletes who have demonstrated exceptional civic leadership through their athlete causes and community engagement.
Betty De la Cruz-Mejía, Morgan Hentz, and Sydney Hilley have been selected as finalists for the honor, which celebrates athletes who use their platform to create meaningful change both on and off the court.
Betty De La Cruz Mejía | Go Ministries
Betty De la Cruz-Mejía is playing for Go Ministries, an organization based in her home country, The Dominican Republic, that aims to create spiritual leaders through sports.
“My cause has always been to demonstrate that dreams have no limits when accompanied by discipline, faith, and purpose,” De la Cruz-Mejía said. “Through volleyball, I’ve learned that leading isn’t commanding, but serving. My most important cause is to continue using sport as a tool to inspire, educate, and create opportunities for others. If my story can remind anyone that talent without discipline is aimless, and that leadership is born by example, then my entire journey has been worth it.”
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Morgan Hentz | New Perceptions
Morgan Hentz chose New Perceptions, a Northern Kentucky nonprofit that serves neurodivergent individuals, including her brother Louie, who is autistic. Hentz has organized volleyball clinics for the past two falls to raise funding for the organization.
“Being a civic leader is important to me because I want to give back to the community that has helped my family in our time of need,” Hentz said. “I have the resources to make a difference and uplift the voices and lives of those who may not have the same opportunities or who need a little extra assistance.”
Hentz uses her platform to raise awareness about intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I want my brother to feel more comfortable going out into the world and trying new things without experiencing stares or confusion from others,” she explained. “Education about intellectual and developmental disabilities is key to making the world more welcoming for neurodivergent people. The best way to spread awareness is through candid conversations and actively participating in service opportunities.”
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Sydney Hilley | The Side-Out Foundation
Sydney Hilley is representing The Side-Out Foundation, which funds research and treatment for metastatic breast cancer through volleyball events. For Hilley, the cause comes with a deeply personal meaning.
“My grandma passed away from breast cancer when I was pretty young, so breast cancer research and treatment have always been important to me,” Hilley said. “Something I love about The Side-Out Foundation is that it combines science with volleyball.”
Hilley completed her master’s degree project with The Side-Out Foundation, studying differences in tumor biology among patients of different ethnicities to address the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic breast cancer patients in clinical trials.
“Representing and playing for a cause is one of my favorite parts of Athletes Unlimited,” Hilley said. “Not only do you raise money for it, but you raise awareness as well.”
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At the end of each season, Athletes Unlimited, powered by Give Lively and the Give Lively Foundation, makes a grant equal to 100% of the athlete’s end-of-season win bonus to the non-profit of the athlete’s choice.
The Impact Award winner will be announced at the conclusion of the 2025 AU Pro Volleyball Championship season.
