The Russell County Middle School volleyball team celebrated its 11 eighth-grade players on Thursday, March 17, and also gave a special recognition to their team statistician and hype girl, Marlei Devore. RCMS took home victories against Metcalfe County at all three grade levels: 8th grade won 21-19, 21-17; 7th grade won 21-17, 21-15; and 6th grade won 21-23, 21-12, 15-6. The middle school teams are coached by Sarah Roy and Stephanie McGowan.
Below, see the 8th Grade Night video courtesy of the Moverby Films Youtube Channel and photos courtesy of Sarah Stapp from the night.
Player: #11 Chezney Burton
Daughter of: Ken and Jennifer Burton
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 3
Favorite Volleyball Memory: When we beat Casey County at home and when Ella and I laughed so hard she spit dark chocolate Reese’s thins on my white shirt on the bus ride home
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “If you think you are giving it all you got, then give a little more. Win or lose, never stop trying to better yourself and your team.”
Player: #21 Patience Calhoun
Daughter of: Jessica Kilpatrick
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: When we went to the gas station and Olivia fell and spilled her slushie!
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Communication and teamwork are keys to a great team and successful game.”
Player: #14 Caroline Coffey
Daughter of: Shawn and Laura Coffey
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: Singing on the bus with the other 8th graders
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Work hard and don’t give up!”
Player: #25 Kim Hernandez
Daughter of: Angela Miranda and Nicholas Lopez
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: The bus-rides back home after wins!
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “You only have a limited time playing this sport, so just have fun and work hard!”
Player: #27 Chloe Irion
Daughter of: Jamie Irion and Chris Irion
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: All three teams winning and raiding gas stations and the dollar store
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Don’t get discouraged and keep your head up. AND don’t get hit in the face!”
Player: #17 Mickenzie McClure
Daughter of: Tabitha Tharp and Jacob McClure
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: Raiding the Dollar Store
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Don’t get in your head!”
Player: #32 Rylen McGowan
Daughter of: Tyler and Stephanie McGowan
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 3
Favorite Volleyball Memory: When I got my first block and anytime I dance on the bus
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Run fast. Hit hard. Do better. You’re happy when you win….so don’t lose!”
Player: #34 Ella Pierce
Daughter of: Kelly Pierce and the late Shawn Pierce
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 3
Favorite Volleyball Memory: The moment I stepped onto the court with my girls for the last, first middle school game and of course did our amazing handshakes!
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Always remember that your team is your family. While the game is fun, it is the people that make it the absolute best!”
Player: #20 Daniela Trevino
Daughter of: Jason and Yomarie Trevino
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 1
Favorite Volleyball Memory: Our very first game!
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Volleyball can be a negative sport because you are going to hit the ball out and make bad passes sometimes, but I think the biggest mistake is to get down on yourself and your team. It’s learning how to play in the moment. There’s many opportunities in a single match. You need to always put mistakes behind you.”
Player: #15 Allie Wilkerson
Daughter of: Brad and Melissa Wilkerson
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 3
Favorite Volleyball Memory: The first time we beat Casey County!
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Never get down and always lift yourself and your teammates up and NEVER celebrate too early!”
Player: #9 Emma Wilson
Daughter of: Kyle and Shanna Wilson
Number of Years Playing Volleyball: 2
Favorite Volleyball Memory: Playing balloon volleyball in the locker room
Advice You Would Like to Give to the Younger Players: “Avoid getting hit in the face!”
