Growing up, Addison Yates was always around sports.
She once lived near Northwest Missouri State University, where her parents, Tricia Sherman and John Yates, were involved in the athletic department. Both of her parents were cheerleaders there, and her father was the president of the booster club.
Her older sister, Brea Gentile, was a three-sport athlete at St. Andrews, playing basketball, volleyball, and track before she enrolled at Georgia Southern.
It would be the perfect preface for Yates's stellar career at St. Andrew's as one of the school's all-time banner athletes,
"I started playing sports when I was about three," recalled Yates, who is a senior. "My older sister was always competing in various sports, and I grew up watching her. We lived right by a college campus, and both my parents were involved with the athletic department there. A lot of my babysitters were college athletes, too, so I wanted to be just like them."
Yates certainly has taken the cue. She is the Lady Lions' athlete of all seasons, participating in basketball, flag football, track, and volleyball, and playing an integral role in each of them.
There is little downtime along the way, but Yates relishes her current schedule. She hasn't shattered records, but her blue-collar work ethic and quest to help
others are qualities that have blazed her trail.
"Sports are a tremendous part of my life, and I find that I manage my time better when I'm busy than when I'm not," gushed Yates. St. Andrew's does an excellent job of supporting students and recognizing that we have commitments outside of school. The teachers hold study sessions before and after school, giving us the chance to ask questions and get extra help when needed.
"Learning how to make the most of the time they offer has been really helpful for me."
Along with her sports, Yates is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, which stresses critical thinking and global awareness, preparing students for university life and beyond.
She and teammate Sydney Mims raised $1,000 for AMBUCS, a program that provides customized Amtrykes –designed to meet the needs of children, veterans, and adults with special abilities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to ride a bike.
Athletic director Jeff Gonzalez has looked to Yates to help set the standard for the school.
"Addy is the type of athlete that every coach wants to have to lead their team, being talented, competitive, dedicated, and coachable," stated Gonzalez. "As a student-athlete, she manages to play four varsity sports in this her senior year and maintains her International Baccalaureate degree coursework.
"When I took over as AD three years ago, she has always been one of the student-athletes I could rely on as a resource, and she also helped promote the school in many ways.
"She is just the type of student-athlete that coaches and athletic directors only get a couple of times in their career if they're lucky."
For a while, basketball was her prime sport, but it soon shifted to volleyball. Yates has been captain of her team for the past two years, and she previously was the state's top-ranked player in digs. She also was a member of the GIAA all-star team and all-region team.
Yates plans to continue her volleyball career at Methodist University, majoring in kinesiology on a pre-med track.
Head volleyball coach Bobbi Mock has appreciated Yates' eagerness to adjust to any situation and her overall dedication.
"Addi is all of you cliches hear about in sports, but they are all true," emphasized Mock. "Her passing and setting skills are solid, but what sets her apart to me is her willingness to be a team player.
"When she started, Addi wanted to be a setter. She went to camps and was ready as a freshman to move into that role the next season. The problem was we needed a defensive specialist/libero. Addi did not hesitate to step into the role.
"Addi is the vocal leader on our team, and she has so much enthusiasm that she almost jumps out of her skin. She is an exceptional student-athlete that still cares about being a good person and teammate. She also is a fierce competitor at everything she does."
However, her basketball career wasn't put on the shelf. Yates has been a member of the varsity team since eighth grade and has served as captain for the last three years.
In track, Yates also ran the 400, shot the shotput, and participated in the 4 x 400 relay. In her freshman year, she was a member of the relay team that finished fourth in the state.
In 2022, Yates was a member of the school's inaugural flag football team and threw the first touchdown pass in the program's history. In her junior year, she was also an all-region selection and captain, and she was named the team's MVP this past season.
As the team's quarterback this season, Yates threw for just under 1,000 yards, averaging 95 yards per game. She threw for eight touchdowns, three against Baker County. In the season's final game, Yates led the team to a season-best fourth win in a victory over Mount deSales, and the Lady Lions missed the playoffs by one game.
Head coach David Nash was impressed with Yates' passion for success. It didn't take long for Nash to recognize her intensity.
"From the moment I met Addi, I was blown away with her desire to create winning culture," stressed Nash. "She is one of the most drive athletes I have ever coached. She cares tremendously about her teammates and never gives up. She mastered a complex offense within weeks and was eager to collaborate on innovative playcalling. Addi has a way of inspiring others top reach their greatest potential through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment that you don't always see in athletes these days."
Yates credits former head girls' basketball coach and current sports information director Jeff Wheelock as being the biggest influence on her athletic career.
"He has known me since third grade, and has supported me in life and athletics every day since I've known him," reflected Yates. "He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and pushed me to be better on and off the court. He's the type of person that treats everyone on campus like family and wants to see them succeed and support them in any way that he can."
Yates doesn't have one specific memory about her career at St. Andrew's but a collection of ones, whether it was on the bus, in the locker room, on the floor, or on the field.
Through it all, Yates has maintained her zeal for competition, and she doesn't plan to let up on the gas.
"I do get tired sometimes, both physically and mentally, but I never feel like I'm doing too much," admitted Yates. "But I absolutely love playing sports, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
St. Andrew's can certainly agree to it.
Note: After completing the article, Yates announced her signing to play volleyball at Methodist College on Instagram yesterday.
PHOTO: St. Andrew's School Athletics on soical media - Graphic: Coco Carnahan St. Andrew's ‘26
Photo Credit: St. Andrew's School communication department
FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav and Instagram savannahsportsreport. If you have any scores, information, or story ideas to share, please email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com.
