About the Team
VolWake is the official wakeboarding and watersports club at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. We offer UT students the opportunity to experience life on the water through a variety of membership options that provide access to our club boat. Each week, members sign up for rides to enjoy wakeboarding, wakesurfing, skiing, tubing, and more on the Tennessee River. Whether you're a seasoned rider or have never stepped on a board before, no experience is required—just a love for the water and a willingness to have fun.
Founded in the late 1980s as a ski club, VolWake has grown alongside the sport itself. Early members spent their days riding on Melton Hill Lake and, for a brief time, the original MasterCraft test lake. As interest in watersports expanded, so did our club, evolving into the organization it is today with larger boats, more members, and opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Beyond our time on the water, VolWake is committed to serving the Knoxville community. Each year, our officers organize multiple community service events that allow members to give back while representing the values of our organization. We also volunteer our time assisting at the marina, helping maintain the strong relationships that have supported our club for decades.
VolWake is more than just a college club—we're a community. Over the years, we've worked hard to build a recognizable brand and create an experience that extends beyond weekly rides. From premium apparel and social events to lifelong friendships and unforgettable sunsets on the river, being a part of VolWake means joining something truly unique.
Whether you're looking to become a member, support our organization, or simply learn more, we'd love to connect. Reach out to us at volwake@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @VolWake. We hope to see you on the water!
Meet the Officers
Get to know the leaders of our club for the 2026-2027 season!
Logan Bliss
President
Hey! My name is Logan Bliss, and I’m excited to serve as President of VolWake. I’m a senior studying Finance and Real Estate, and I grew up boating on Norris Lake, which gave me a love for all watersports. I compete in wakeboard competitions myself, and I’m excited to lead our club and help provide the best possible experience for as many students as I can out on the water.
Lila Hess
Vice President
Hi friends! My name is Lila! This semester I will be serving as Vice President for the club! I am a rising junior studying mechanical engineering! I grew up near the river in Idaho, and Volwake was a huge reason for me choosing UTK! I’ve been a member for the entirety of my time in school and attribute a lot of memories, friends, and opportunities to my time on the boat! I am so excited to meet everyone in the fall!
Natalie Lawton
Secretary
Hi!!! My name is Natalie Lawton and I’m a senior from Morris, Illinois, majoring in Business Management with a collateral in Sales! I have the opportunity to serve as VolWake’s secretary again this year and handle updating the schedule and ride times each week. This is my fourth year being a part of the team, and this will be my second year as an officer. VolWake has been one of the best parts of my college experience by far!! I love wake surfing, and have had a blast these past four years getting out on the water with VolWake. I’ve met so many awesome people and made lifelong friendships through this team! I can’t wait to meet our new members, and I’m so excited to get back on the water for another year of memories with this group!!
Max Gallinek
Treasurer
Hey guys, my name is Max and I am this years treasurer. I’m from Charlotte NC. I am studying Supply Chain management and applied AI and I have been on Volwake since freshman year. My favorite animal is sharks 🦈
Allie Owens
Director of Social Media
Hi everyone! My name is Allie Owens, and I’m a senior studying sports communications. This will be my 4th year serving as Social Media Chair for VolWake, and I couldn’t be more excited for another great season! From jam sessions on the boat to beautiful sunset rides in the Fall, my experience on VolWake has been nothing short of perfect. This club has brought me some of my closest friends and best memories here at UTK, and it’s an honor to be able to serve VolWake one last time!
Maddie Kyker
Director of Marketing
Hey guys! My name is Maddie Kyker and I am a senior in Haslam studying Marketing and International Business. I am from Knoxville TN and have always grown up going to the lake. I have been apart of VolWake my entire time at UT it has truly been the best part of my college experience. I love getting to take a break from classes and studying and get to spend an afternoon with the team doing what we love most. I have made so many friends through this club and have also gotten to be a part of many cool experiences that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I am really excited to start my senior year as an officer and meet the new members! Let's get out there and have the best year yet!!!
Bella Roberts
Director of Merchandise
Hii I’m Bella Roberts and I’m from Cookeville TN. I’m a marketing major and this will be my fourth year on volwake. My favorite thing to do is wakesurf & foil and in the winter, snowboard! The best part about volwake to me is the community we have and getting to hangout at our favorite place, and I’m so excited for this season !!!
Ally Maier
Director of Partnerships & Sponsorships
Hi!! My name is Ally Maier and I’m a senior majoring in Civil Engineering. I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio, and I spend most weekends over the summer on Norris Lake. This year I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve as VolWake’s director of sponsorships and be a driver! This is my fourth year as a member of VolWake, and being part of this club has been one of the best parts of my college experience. My favorite water sport is wakesurfing, and I’m always looking for any opportunity to get out on the water. I’m beyond excited to engage with new brands, create sponsorship opportunities, get to know more members, and make even more memories with VolWake this season!
Riley Fera
Director of Events
Hey yall! My name is Riley Fera, and I am so excited to serve as VolWake’s Events Chair! I am a Senior in the College of Nursing and this will be my 4th year on VolWake! I’m originally from Chicago and now live in Nashville. I also lived in California for a few years where found my love for surfing, which I am so happy to be able to translate to the lake and on the river! I am so excited to meet new members this year and add to the VolWake family!
Alex Joseph
Director of Athlete Development
My name is Alex Joseph, and I’m a senior studying accounting at the University of Tennessee. I’m from Michigan and have had a real passion for being on the water for as long as I can remember. During my summers in northern Michigan, my job is giving wakesurfing lessons and I absolutely love it. I’ve been a part of VolWake for three years now because it has given me the opportunity to meet great people who share the same passion for watersports. One of my favorite things about the team is the community and the chance to push each other to improve every time we’re out on the water. This year, I’m especially excited to spend more time on the Tennessee River, spend time with the other riders, and enjoy the new opportunities the officer team is creating. I’m looking forward to another awesome season with VolWake!
Liam Sowder
Director of Boat Operations
Hey! I'm Liam Sowder and I will be serving a Chair position for the 2026-2027 season. I am a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. I'm from Cincinnati OH and have grown up going to local lakes and Norris for most of my life and have worked at a local dealership for the past four summers to share my passion for the water. When I am not out on the water in the winter months I spend my time skiing. This will be the second year apart of Volwake and I'm super excited for the upcoming season and I'll see you on the water!
