MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Blackwell, Parker, McLendon

Senate Resolution 20

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL "LADY MUSTANGS" VOLLEY BALL TEAM AND COACH ROBBIE VEAZEY FOR WINNING THE 2019 CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

     WHEREAS, the Center Hill High School "Lady Mustangs" road to the 2019 State High School Volleyball Championship Tournament was highlighted by a strong playoff run, culminated by a 3-1 Class 5A state finals victory over Long Beach in the championship at Mississippi State University on October 26, 2019; and

     WHEREAS, the Lady Mustangs swept past Saltillo and Cleveland Central to reach the tournament, then stopped East Central, again in straight sets to reach the finals.  Within the last few years, Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state volleyball has become a Final Four format and for Center Hill, this was the first time to reach the Final Four stage; and

     WHEREAS, Center Hill again faced a Gulf Coast school in a three-year period from 2007-2009.  Center Hill got through the North Half and did reach the state championship but was denied the title each time by the volleyball juggernaut, Our Lady Academy (OLA); and

     WHEREAS, afterward, Coach Robbie Veazey said building confidence has been the key in bringing back the program this year.  Center Hill's victory came without the aid of its top player, as DeSoto County MVP, Zakhia Taylor, went down with an ankle injury in the first few minutes of the match.  The victory brought Center Hill's record back to .500 at the end of the season at 16-16.  The championship match for Center Hill also marked the first time for a DeSoto County team to win a State Title since 2015; and

     WHEREAS, the 2019 Lady Mustangs roster is:  Reagan Green, Abigail Chisholm, Anna Jernigan, Chloe Steen, Makenzie Sandridge, Olivia Hines, Brinley Steed, Zakhia Taylor, Callie Goodwin, Lauryn Bulloch, Alyssa Henson, Tyreahanna Tillman, Sydney Biffle, Lydia Walker and Coach Robbie Veazey; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Center Hill High School "Lady Mustangs" Volleyball Team and Coach Robbie Veazey, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Robbie Veazey and Center Hill Principal Doug Payne, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.