Tom Brady’s proud message to Hannah Brady after Michigan volleyball debut gives her first college moment an emotional touch
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. The Wolverines lost the first set 25-23, but answered with wins of 25-14, 25-16 and 25-12. The win moved Michigan to 5-1, while Valparaiso fell to 4-2. 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. Her uncle Tom Brady played football at Michigan from 1995 through 1999 before building his NFL career and winning seven Super Bowls.
Michigan’s official athletics site confirmed the result and noted that Hannah made her collegiate debut and served an ace on her first attempt.
He shared the message “So proud of you” on his Instagram story, according to EssentiallySports. Tom Brady had a simple message for his niece Hannah Brady after she reached a big moment at Michigan. For Hannah, it was the start she had waited for. Hannah Brady’s first college appearance came in Michigan’s four-set win over Valparaiso in the Valpo Popcorn Classic. For Hannah, that first serve gave her an immediate moment to remember. Tom Brady’s reaction came soon after the match. 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.
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. Michigan added her to its 2025 recruiting class, describing her as a steady libero with strong ties to the school. Because she did not appear in a match, her first year in Ann Arbor was quiet on the court.
Hannah has also built her own record. At Oaks Christian High School in California, she was the starting libero for all four years. 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. 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.