The volleyball community across North Carolina is grieving the sudden loss of Mia Yee, an 18-year-old standout from Direction Volleyball Club who was set to begin her college career this fall.
Mia passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, leaving behind a wide circle of teammates, coaches, family, and friends who have flooded social media with tributes over the past several days.
Mia was born on September 6, 2007, and had spent the 2025-26 season competing on Direction’s 18 Royal team. She had committed to continuing her volleyball journey at Wake Tech in the fall, a milestone her club described as something she was eagerly looking forward to.
A Club and Community in Mourning
In a heartfelt post, Direction Volleyball Club shared their sorrow, describing Mia as a valued member of their volleyball family. The club highlighted her kindness and spirit, noting that her presence on and off the court left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
The tribute quickly drew an outpouring of support from across the youth volleyball world. Rival and partner clubs from around the region sent their condolences, showing just how far Mia’s connections in the sport reached. Among those offering sympathy were:
- Sandhills Volleyball Club of North Carolina
- GrandStrand Juniors Volleyball
- Numerous individual coaches, parents, and teammates shared memories in the comments
One commenter recalled meeting Mia and her mother at a restaurant celebration after a tournament win, describing the family as warm and welcoming. Others simply offered prayers, with dozens of messages continuing to arrive on the club’s page in the days following the announcement.
Funeral Services and Final Arrangements
Arrangements for Mia are being handled by Harris-Wheless Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services. According to the funeral home’s official notice, family and friends gathered to pay their respects beginning Tuesday, June 30, continuing through Thursday, July 2.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, July 1, at 7:00 p.m. at Harris-Wheless Memorial Funeral Home, located at 122 W. Barbee Street in Zebulon, North Carolina.
Mia’s entombment is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 3:00 p.m. at Montlawn Memorial Park, located at 2911 S. Wilmington Street in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The funeral home is offering the public an opportunity to send flowers or plant a memorial tree in Mia’s honor through its online floral store, and has also made a complimentary daily grief messaging service available for those coping with the loss.
Remembering a Bright Future Cut Short
For a young athlete on the verge of stepping into the next chapter of her life, Mia’s death has struck a particularly painful chord within the club volleyball community.
Her plans to play at the college level represented the culmination of years of hard work, and many of the tributes shared online reflected on how much promise lay ahead of her.
As the Direction Volleyball Club put it in their farewell message, Mia will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew her. Her family, teammates, and coaches now carry her memory forward as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
