Former Mercer volleyball player Aliyah Waldon dies at 19 after cancer battle
The Mercer Volleyball team is mourning the loss of one of their own after their battle with cancer, the team confirmed in a post on social media.
MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Former Mercer University volleyball player Aliyah Waldon died Sunday after a battle with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. She was 19.
Waldon was diagnosed in October 2024 forcing her to sit out her sophomore season due to aggressive new treatments.
“Our hearts are extremely heavy tonight as the entire Mercer community mourns the passing of Aliyah ‘Ali’ Waldon,” the team said in an Instagram post. “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,” the team wrote. “We ask that you please keep Ali’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”
After medically retired from volleyball following her treatment, she followed former Mercer Volleyball Coach Chad Sutton to Appalachian State. She then pursued a career in coaching in Clearwater, Florida.
After her diagnosis, the volleyball team made a special homage to Waldon. The front of their shirts said “fight” with a yellow ribbon in place of the letter “I,” an initiative began by Sutton.
As they showed their support for her, Waldon had come back to Macon to root for her teammates during the midst of her battle with cancer, showing her support for her teammates on the court as they supported her in her battle.
Mercer athletics officials said teammates are being given time to grieve. Volleyball head coach Steve Benson and the team are expected to speak publicly about Waldon’s impact on the program next week.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to support the Waldon family during her illness and remains open for donations. The fundraiser can be found here. The Mercer Volleyball team asked the community to keep Waldon’s family in their thoughts and prayers after her passing.
