Calhoun High School volleyball player Gracison Saylors, a senior, is ITG Next’s August 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
The two-sport student-athlete is a middle blocker on the volleyball squad and competes in the triple jump and high jump as a member of the Yellow Jackets track team. While Saylors enjoys competing in both sports, volleyball is her primary sport, and it shows in her performance.
She was named the Class 3A Co-Player of the Year for the 2024 season and was chosen as an All-State performer. Saylors was one of the big reasons Calhoun advanced through the state playoffs and landed in the state championship match against Jefferson, where, unfortunately, they fell 3-0.
Saylors certainly has made an impact on the Yellow Jackets volleyball team. The hope is that she and her Calhoun teammates can take it one step further this season and capture that state title that eluded them last season.
At the time of writing, Saylors and Calhoun are off to a 17-7 start, including a perfect 4-0 in region matches. The Calhoun volleyball standout not only likes what she and her teammates have been able to accomplish so far, but feels like the best is yet to come.
“This season has been going well,” Saylors said. “We have a couple of new additions to the team, and I feel that we are working well together. I think that our determination and dedication will allow us to continue to grow and mesh more as a team throughout the rest of the season.”
At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Saylors certainly has an advantage on the court, especially with the position she plays.
She has a .407 career hitting percentage and 399 career blocks. Saylors reached a milestone of 1,500 kills just a few days prior to the time of writing.
Her achievements have not only served her well at Calhoun High School, but have attracted the attention of college coaches. Saylors received several offers, but her mind is made up.
“I had several schools that I spoke to, but in the end, Kentucky was my dream school,” Saylors said. “They stood out to me because of their culture. I loved how close all the girls were and the bonds they had with the coaches. There was no doubt about being able to play for Coach Craig (Skinner, Kentucky’s head volleyball coach) and his coaching staff. He is a great coach and has done so much for the program, so saying, ‘Yes,’ was easy.”
Jennifer Quinn is now in her fourth season as Calhoun High School’s head volleyball coach. She led Calhoun to its first region title last season and its first state finals appearance in school history. Quinn said that Saylors has been a big part of that success.
“It has been a pleasure coaching Gracison these past four seasons,” Quinn said. “She has grown substantially from being a freshman to now as an outstanding senior. She has set every kill and block record for Calhoun volleyball with more than 1,500 career kills and 400 career blocks.”
Quinn added that there is more to Saylors than the numbers.
“She is not all about the stats and awards,” Quinn said. “She comes from a family that holds true value in being the best you can be at whatever you do.”
Saylors is the first Division I volleyball player to come from Calhoun High School, according to Quinn.
Congratulations to Calhoun volleyball player Gracison Saylors, ITG Next’s August 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
