Tom Brady had a simple message for his niece Hannah Brady after she reached a big moment at Michigan. Hannah made her college volleyball debut against Valparaiso on Sunday, September 6, and even delivered an ace with her first serve. Michigan won 3-1 after dropping the opening set, and Brady shared a short message on Instagram: “So proud of you.” For Hannah, it was the start she had waited for.
Tom Brady celebrates Hannah Brady’s Michigan volleyball debut
Hannah Brady’s first college appearance came in Michigan’s four-set win over Valparaiso in the Valpo Popcorn Classic. The Wolverines lost the first set 25-23, but answered with wins of 25-14, 25-16 and 25-12. Michigan’s official athletics site confirmed the result and noted that Hannah made her collegiate debut and served an ace on her first attempt. The win moved Michigan to 5-1, while Valparaiso fell to 4-2.For Hannah, that first serve gave her an immediate moment to remember. The Michigan libero had not played in a match during her freshman season in 2025, according to the school’s roster. She entered the 2026 season as a sophomore and is listed at 5-foot-7.Tom Brady’s reaction came soon after the match. According to EssentiallySports, he shared the message “So proud of you” on his Instagram story. It was brief, but it showed how closely he has followed Hannah’s path at Michigan.That support is not new. Brady has spent time with Hannah around the Michigan campus and volleyball program. During Thanksgiving weekend in 2025, he shared family photos from Michigan and also posted a picture with Hannah on a volleyball court. Fox reported at the time that Brady was “sharing a flick on the volleyball court with his niece.”
Hannah Brady’s Michigan volleyball journey and Tom Brady family connection
Hannah is not the only athlete in the family. She is the daughter of Maureen Brady, who played softball at Fresno State, and the younger sister of Maya Brady, who starred in softball at UCLA. Her uncle Tom Brady played football at Michigan from 1995 through 1999 before building his NFL career and winning seven Super Bowls.Hannah has also built her own record. At Oaks Christian High School in California, she was the starting libero for all four years. Michigan says she finished with more than 1,207 digs, the most in school history, and helped her team reach the CIF Southern Section final twice. She also helped Oaks Christian win the Marmonte League title in each of her four seasons.Those results helped Hannah earn first-team all-league honors, an AVCA Phenom selection and a place on the AVCA All-American Watch List. Michigan added her to its 2025 recruiting class, describing her as a steady libero with strong ties to the school.Her first year in Ann Arbor was quiet on the court because she did not appear in a match. Now, that wait is over. Hannah has her first college appearance, her first ace and a win to start this part of her Michigan career. Tom Brady’s message made the moment even more personal for the family watching from home.
