@fullname - @season - @sport - Liberty University

The Liberty Women’s Volleyball team plays against MTSU in the Liberty Arena on October 18th, 2024. (Photo by Brooke McDuffee)

Volleyball takes on Jacksonville State University in the Liberty Arena on October 04, 2024 (Photo by KJ Jugar)

Liberty University Volleyball Media Day on August 7th, 2024. (Photo by Cassidy Paxton)

Elizabeth Helmich

Class:
Senior
Height:
6-2
Hometown:
Plymouth, Minn.
Previous School:
Wayzata HS (James Madison)

Previous School

Opened career at James Madison, where she played for four seasons before graduate transfer to Liberty
At JMU, competed in 74 matches and 252 sets, totaling 436 kills, 18 aces, 205 digs and 128 blocks
Helped James Madison to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances as a junior and senior
2021 Spring VaSID All-State second team
2021 Spring CAA All-Rookie Team
2023 CSC Academic All-District
Eight-time JMU Athletic Directo’s Scholar-Athlete
Six-time Dean’s List honoree, named to President’s List in Fall 2023
2022-23 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's Award
Two-time CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll
Finished fourth on JMU’s team with 200 kills as a senior, also finishing third on team with 65 blocks that season
Scored career-high 14 kills on a .333 hitting percentage against High Point (Aug. 27, 2021)
Posted career-high 14 digs against VCU (Sept. 14, 2023)

Prep

Graduated from Wayzata High School
Four-year varsity letter winner
Two-time Class 3A All-State First Team selection
Named National First Team All-American by PrepVolleyball
Minnesota Gatorade POY finalist
2019 Ms. Volleyball Finalist
Named captain her senior season
2019 Star Tribune All-Metro First Team
2019 3A State Tournament All-Tournament Team
Two-time All-Conference selection
Played for MN Select Volleyball Club

Personal

Daughter of Andy and Andie Helmich
Brother, Jack, pole vaults for Virginia Tech
Uncle, Geoff Carlston, is the current head volleyball coach at Ohio and previously at Ohio State
Birthday is July 26
Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in media arts and design from James Madison, now pursuing a Master's degree in marketing: sport marketing and media at Liberty; would like to become a graphic designer for a professional or collegiate sports team

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty combined high-level academics, volleyball, and faith that I knew would make me a better person coming out of graduate school. With only one year left, I wanted to find a place that felt like a home away from home and be somewhere that the Lord's presence felt constant.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My family and friends, I wouldn't be anywhere without their unwavering support from all over the country. Being from far away and having people who are in my corner no matter where I am means so much to me.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Going to two NCAA Tournaments and winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship in 2022.

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My brother, Jack Helmich, is a pole vaulter (Track & Field) at Virginia Tech.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I check my text messages when I wake up.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I love to go Hiking.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have two dogs at home. A German Shepard named Timber, and an English Cream Golden Retriever named Aspen.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Paige & Hannah Tapp (Minnesota Gopher Volleyball Players).

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
My dream vacation is Bora Bora.