Jaila Tolbert

Classroom

Jaila Tolbert is majoring in international studies with a concentration in business along with a minor in Chinese studies and has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.53. The Minnesota native has earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the Virginia Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll each year. She also has made the Virginia Tech Dean’s List five times.

Character

Tolbert is a true example of a servant-leader within her team and Tech’s Athletics Department, as well as at the conference and national level. On campus, she has served on Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for three years and currently holds the president role on the four-person executive team. She values improving herself by participating in voluntary leadership development workshops offered throughout the school year through the VT Athletics’ Leadership Institute. Tolbert has taken her leadership even further by serving as a representative on ACC SAAC, NCAA Division I SAAC, and on multiple subcommittees including the Student-Athlete Experience subcommittee of Division I, the ACC Legislation Committee and the Presidents Council within ACC SAAC. She has proven her commitment to improving the student-athlete experience on her campus and across the country with a passion for serving others.

Community

In addition to her service to Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Tolbert has participated in community outreach events on Tech’s campus and community. She assisted new Hokies on Move-In Day at the annual Hokie Helpers event and participated in the volleyball team’s community outreach initiative visit to Kipps Elementary School in Blacksburg each week to share lunch with students who might be struggling at school. While attending ACC and Division I SAAC in-person meetings, Tolbert participated in group community outreaches in those areas including visits to hospitals and local elementary schools.

Competition

The right-side hitter was named to the All-ACC Freshmen Team her rookie season and was tabbed second-team All-ACC last fall after a breakout season in which she hit north of .300 in 20 matches. Last year, Tolbert led the ACC in hitting percentage (.331) for non-middle blockers. She followed it up this past summer by being named to the U.S. Collegiate National Team - Detroit, just one of only 24 student-athletes to make the prestigious team. So far this season, Tolbert has been named to three all-tournament teams (Bobcat, Charlotte and UTSA invites) in non-conference action. As of nomination time, she leads the team in hitting percentage (.350) and is second in kills per set (3.05). Tolbert has played in 103 career matches, including 78 starts, and has racked up 810 kills and 248 blocks.