Athlete Spotlight: Waynesboro's Aaliyah Diggs shares special bond with aunt

he has the perfect name for a volleyball defensive specialist: Aaliyah Diggs.

The Waynesboro High School libero isn't the only person in the program with that last name. The head coach, LaToya Diggs, is her aunt.

And not like the type of aunt that you only see once a year at the family reunion.

More like the aunt that's like another mother figure.

Together, the first-year head coach and her talented niece are helping the Little Giants to a successful volleyball season.

"It's been really good (playing for my aunt)," Aaliyah said. "I feel like she pushes me to be the best that I can, even if I'm in my head or something. She'll just push me to do the best that I can."

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LaToya took over the head coaching position from her high school coach, Lori Aleshire, who also played at Waynesboro High School. Aleshire won a state championship as a setter and was the state player of the year before going on to play at the Division I level.

LaToya was a defensive specialist in high school, and she also was the point guard the last time Waynesboro's girls basketball team reached the state championship game.

Aaliyah also plays two sports: volleyball and basketball.

Naturally, it was LaToya that got Aaliyah into volleyball.

"My aunt was pretty good at it," the junior libero said.

Not only did LaToya and Aaliyah grow up close relationally, but they grew up incredibly close in terms of proximity. LaToya saw her niece every day, and the aunt wasn't always convinced she was staring at the next great athlete in the family.

"It's been great seeing her catch up to everybody when at one point she was behind," LaToya said. "Also, just seeing her grow into an athlete. She hasn't always been an athlete. Just seeing her as she was before, and now she plays sports, and she's decent at the sports."

Moving back

By traditional volleyball standards, LaToya's height would position her well for the back row. Conversely, Aaliyah is much taller, and started her career playing on the front row as an outside hitter.

However, she moved to the libero position as a sophomore, helping to anchor the Little Giant defense.

"It went really smoothly," Aaliyah said of the transition. "I could always pass, but I was tall, so I would be right side."

Libero, however, matches her skill set with her temperament.

"It was good, because I would always get in my head more when I was front row," the Little Giant junior said. "As a libero, you don't have time to be in your head. You have to have a good attitude, no matter what's going on."

Aailyah knows the source of her positive attitude.

"It comes from my aunt being on me all the time," she said. "It's constant. She does not let me down. Even if I'm down, she encourages me to keep going."

Tough love

Each week, head coaches get an academic report on all of their players.

For Aaliyah, that means no hiding her academic performance from her aunt.

"Aaliyah knows that I'm probably harder on her than anybody, but that's just how it is," Diggs said. "It's with anything; with grades, sports or her attitude. It's anything, really."

Aaliyah knows it comes from a place of deep love.

"She means a lot to me, for real," Aaliyah said. "Even if something is going bad, she'll expect the positive in it. She'll coach me about anything."