Story by student reporter Makayla Jordan

Thomas County Central High School Athletics program served up a new sport this year. Girls’ volleyball is now an option for any girl interested in playing, especially those girls for whom other sports might not spike excitement.

"There was a lot of interest from the girls to start a team,” Coach Hannah Shierling said. “They did research and presented a proposal to the school board.”

Interest checks were then held for girls who would possibly want to join the team. Tryouts were held in May with more than 100 girls in attendance. Eventually, the hand-picked team of 18 was chosen to compete for the school.

"The first ever volleyball team at Central was a big deal and I wanted to be able to give my support," middle-hitter Mya Dailey said.

Defensive specialist Ashtin Banks said practices are “very rigorous because we are eager to prepare ourselves against other teams and to strive for excellence.”

The team itself is a “fun loving, playful group of girls who are becoming close friends,” left side Emily Curry said.

Shierling adds “everyone has been extremely supportive” and “there’s always a great turnout of fans at the games.”

The team had a strong first season and ended its run with a 12-3 scorecard after its Sept. 29 game, which also served as senior night.

Daly feels the season went well.

“We’ve improved a lot over a short period of time,” she said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we work through them by working hard and supporting each other.”

It’s been “very successful for a first year program that only had two players with experience playing competitive volleyball,” Coach Michelle Johnson said.

"This has been a great season for us and we are looking forward to growing into an even better team next season,” she said. “We appreciate all the support that we received this year and all of the hard work that our girls put in.”