Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Hancock Volleyball’s Madison Reso!

The Hancock Lady Hawks are putting together a memorable 2026 volleyball season, and senior setter Madison Reso is earning recognition for her impact on the court.

Hancock enters the Class 6A state championship with a 25-8 overall record and a perfect 10-0 mark in district play. On Monday night, the Lady Hawks swept the George County Lady Rebels to capture their third South State title in the last four seasons.

For Reso, the victory was especially meaningful after George County ended Hancock’s season a year ago.

“We went into the game knowing last year we got swept, and it was a tough loss, but this year we knew we could win this and we wanted to go to state and we just put in our all for it and we were ready for the game,” Reso said.

Reso has been the driving force behind Hancock’s offense for four years, helping her teammates succeed in a role that often goes unnoticed. As the team’s setter, she tracks down passes, creates opportunities and puts her hitters in position to score.

“I just love seeing my teammates accomplish things, so just being able to help them do what they need to do to do their job is a great feeling,” Reso said.

Her contributions extend well beyond setting. Over the past two seasons, Reso has recorded 1,530 assists, 385 digs and 192 service aces, along with 93 kills of her own.

Her all-around performance has earned her one of the highest individual honors in Mississippi high school volleyball: Class 6A Miss Volleyball.

Reso said she was surprised when she learned she had received the award.

“I actually woke up from a nap and saw everybody texting me and I was just in shock. I wasn’t expecting it at all and I’m so grateful for it,” Reso said. “I help the hitters score the points and setters don’t get a lot of recognition, so being able to win Miss Volleyball and show other setters and passers and everyone that they can get it as well.”

Despite the individual recognition, one of the most meaningful parts of Reso’s high school career has been sharing the court with her younger sister.

“It’s amazing,” Reso said. “I didn’t know if we’d be playing together or not for my last year, but having her come up as a sophomore, she’s doing amazing and it’s great playing with her.”

Now, Reso and her teammates have a chance to make their senior season even more special as they compete for a state championship.

Hancock will take the court Thursday afternoon at A.E. Woods Coliseum for the Class 6A state championship, looking to capture the program’s first state title since 2016.

With several seniors preparing to play their final high school matches together, the motivation to finish the season with a championship is stronger than ever.

“We definitely want it,” Reso said. “Being seniors, it’s a lot of our last years playing together and some of us have been playing together for like seven years, so just knowing it’s our last year we want it more than ever and that’s a big thing this year.”

After four years of leading Hancock’s offense, Reso now has an opportunity to help lead the Lady Hawks to the ultimate prize — a state championship to cap off a remarkable high school career.