Lady Tigers Lean on Local Talent as NEMCC Volleyball Enters Third Season

BOONEVILLE, Miss. – The Northeast Mississippi Community College Lady Tigers volleyball program is banking on homegrown talent as it enters its third season of competition.

Eight of the team’s 13 players hail from schools across Northeast’s traditional service area of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth in North Mississippi.

“The sport of volleyball is growing in north Mississippi and growing fast,” said head coach Brenda Mayes. “When local athletes represent their district, family and friends want to come out and watch. The bigger the crowd, the more exciting the atmosphere becomes.”

Newcomers with Championship Pedigrees

Several newcomers arrive with championship experience. Carine Delfin and Addi Vetovitz helped lead New Albany to a runner-up finish in the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs last fall. Delfin, an all-state libero, recorded 825 digs, 86 assists, and 45 aces in her senior year, while Vetovitz notched nine kills and five blocks in the postseason.

Allie Kirkland, a transfer from Alcorn Central, helped the Lady Bears capture the 2021 Class 3A state title and earned multiple Player of the Year honors from the Daily Corinthian. She was among the state’s top 10 in aces, blocks, and kills her senior year.

Another transfer, Reese Moore of Tishomingo County, brings an impressive resume that includes Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 after tallying 485 kills and 65 aces.

Returning Leaders

Northeast returns just two players from last season: Sophie Johnson (Caledonia) and Ava Siegel (Tuscumbia, Ala.). Both were starters as freshmen, with Johnson excelling at setter and Siegel showcasing versatility across multiple positions.

Johnson posted double-digit assists in 25 of 31 matches, including a 29-assist, 11-dig performance against Lawson State (Ala.) Community College. Siegel, praised by Mayes for her consistency, recorded 20 kills in a win over Meridian Community College.

Building Depth

The roster also includes several all-area standouts: Haley Guare (Corinth), Addi Hicks (Walnut), and Eliza Whitenton (East Union). Hicks was named her division’s Offensive Player of the Year, while Whitenton earned Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal all-area honors after a junior season with 303 kills and 41 aces.

Brooklyn Chappell (Guys, Tenn.) and Abbey Hall (Granbury, Texas) join the Lady Tigers from out of state. Chappell led McNairy Central High School last year with 164 kills and 157 digs.

Cora Kelly (Myrtle) and Bailey Whitlock (South Pontotoc) also bring experience from the Northeast Mississippi Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star Game, along with teammates Delfin, Guare, Hicks, and Whitenton.

Season Outlook

With a roster that blends local stars, transfers, and experienced returners, Mayes believes the program is ready to take another step forward.

“I think this is the year and the opportunity for us to push forward,” Mayes said. “We’re working some options out, so I think we’ll be fine.”

The Lady Tigers open the 2025 season August 22-23 at the Mississippi/Alabama Crossover in Fulton before hosting Freed-Hardeman University and Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College on Monday, August 25, in their home debut.