House Resolution 171

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL CAVALIERS VOLLEYBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH SAMANTHA BROOKS FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST EVER MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Caledonia High School Cavaliers Volleyball Team served victory when they beat Pass Christian High School to win the 2022 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Volleyball Championship for the first time in program history; and

WHEREAS, the Cavaliers, who had a superior season that was driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, intensely amplified all of their hard work, motivation and audacity, which were so apparent all through the season, for the game that ultimately rewarded them with the championship trophy; and

WHEREAS, aside from a tough start to the first set, the Cavaliers cruised their way into a comfortable Set 2 win and a comfortable lead in Set 3, up as much as nine points over Pass Christian, and the final set scores were 25-20, 25-15 and 25-18, as their mental toughness never wavered from the moment the first serve was made until the dogpile commenced after the Cavaliers sealed their victory; and

WHEREAS, Set 1 of the state title game felt like both teams were trying to feel everything out from the crowd to the court to the opponent, and Pass Christian took advantage of some early Caledonia mistakes and took an early 8-3 lead off the jump; and

WHEREAS, Caledonia settled in and cut the Pass Christian lead down to 14-13 after an amazing 10-6 run, and from there, the Cavaliers had really found their footing and finished the set on a 10-5 run to take a 1-0 match lead; and

WHEREAS, a large contingent of Caledonia fans, especially students, traveled with the team to the championship series, and kept them motivated throughout all three sets, and libero Emma McKee had a fantastic service game, as switching up her serve kept the other team on their toes; and

WHEREAS, while Pass Christian was unable to adjust, Caledonia was the exact opposite, maturing well into the match, with players like Mary Beth Edmondson and Brianna Holliman having great offensive games; and

WHEREAS, Set 3 was an even more exaggerated example of success from the Cavaliers, who rode an 8-1 run behind McKee to take a commanding 17-9 lead in the set, and they saved a point off a kill attempt from the Pass Christian Pirates' outside hitter, and when Mary Beth rose up for what Caledonia hoped was the final kill, and it tipped off the fingers of a Pirates player and fell out of bounds, the point, set and match was awarded to the Cavaliers, who immediately made a dogpile on the court in celebration of their first ever state title; and

WHEREAS, the team finished their season with amazing spikes, serves and saves by individual players, but the key to the team's success each year has been the amazing team spirit and year-round hard work; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Samantha Brooks has superbly coached and inspired the Cavaliers Volleyball Team and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and she continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in her ability to produce high caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student-athletes such as the Caledonia High School Cavaliers Volleyball Team, who have brought honor to their school, their community, and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Caledonia High School Cavaliers Volleyball Team and Head Coach Samantha Brooks for winning their first ever Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Volleyball Championship, and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Samantha Brooks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.