MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Sparks, Barnett

Senate Concurrent Resolution 599

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL "LADY CARDINALS" VOLLEYBALL TEAM AND COACH STEPHANIE CLEVELAND FOR WINNING THE 2021 MHSAA 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THE FIRST IN PROGRAM HISTORY.

     WHEREAS, the Belmont High School Volleyball Team stormed into the Ridgeland High School Gymnasium on October 23, 2021, and defeated Sacred Heart 3-0 in the 2A Title Game to capture the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) State Championship in front of a packed house; and

     WHEREAS, the championship was the first in program history for the Lady Cardinals; and

     WHEREAS, "These girls are just amazing.  We were ready.  We knew what it felt like to lose this game, and we were determined not to.  I told our girls it's exciting to get here, but a strong weapon is knowing what it's like to lose it," said Belmont Coach Stephanie Cleveland; and

     WHEREAS, the Lady Cardinals (33-4) were never in danger of coming up short.  The first set of the match was the closest one, with Sacred Heart (24-4) taking a 14-13 lead halfway through.  But Belmont finished the set on an 11-6 run to take the first game, 25-19.  Many of Sacred Heart's points came on double-tap errors from Belmont, and it was an adjustment the Lady Cardinals had to make to come away with the victory.  The Lady Cardinals poured it on in the second set, breaking a 7-7 tie with a 7-0 run to take a commanding 14-7 lead.  Sacred Heart cut it to three points at 18-15, but Kathryn Greene and Kerstin Moody kept hammering the back corner with kills and Belmont pulled away to take the second set 25-17.  The third set was more of the same, with unforced errors costing the Lady Crusaders in a 25-12 final set; and

     WHEREAS, Greene earned "Most Valuable Player" honors for her efforts; and

     WHEREAS, the 2021 Lady Cardinals Championship Roster:  Kerstin Moody, Olivia Ivey, Jacey Deaton, Giselle Lopez, Emma Horton, Kate Greene, Cheyenne Hughes, Madasen McCaig, Zoie Hardin, Aubrey Jenkins, Sophie Greene, Sadie Randolph, Anna Karen Merino, Aubree Russell, Sydnee Wilemon and Meredith Eaton; and Coach Stephanie Cleveland; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes who have 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Volleyball Team and Coach Stephanie Cleveland for winning the 2021 MHSAA 2A State Championship, the first in program history, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued success.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Stephanie Cleveland for the team and Belmont Principal Jeff Boren, forwarded to the Tishomingo County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.