Senate Resolution 60

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE "LADY RANGERS" VOLLEYBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ALLISON BURCHYETT FOR WINNING ITS FIRST-EVER REGION 23 CHAMPIONSHIP AND MACCC "ACADEMIC TEAM OF THE YEAR".

WHEREAS, for the first time since taking the court three years ago, the Northwest Volleyball Program finished the regular season as the top overall seed in Region 23. In her three seasons leading the Northwest Volleyball Program, Coach Allison Burchyett has taken the program to new heights; and

WHEREAS, in their first season, the "Lady Rangers" earned the program's first victory in just their second match, Northwest came back last fall and earned 14 victories. Now, not only does the program have its first winning record, the "Lady Rangers" are also Region 23 Champions for the first time ever, after defeating Pearl River 3-0. Northwest did so by taking the first set 25-22, followed by a 25-16 decision in the second set and a 25-22 third-set win; and

WHEREAS, Freshman duo Cristen Cleveland and Kennedy Smith led the charge for Northwest, earning 12 kills apiece. Cleveland, a Hernando native, also totaled three service aces, followed by two from Lia Ramos. Ramos, a sophomore, also came away with a team-high 21 assists, followed by 14 from Hailey Stephens. Cleveland's performance also continued with 10 digs, trailing only Kayla Beal's 12 digs for the team high. Ramos also accounted for nine digs of her own; and

WHEREAS, with the victory, Northwest went on to represent Region 23 in the next stage of postseason competition, the FCSAA/NJCAA Division II Gulf District Tournament in Palatka, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Volleyball is 1 of 5 Northwest Teams earning MACCC Academic Teams of the Year with a 3.72 Team GPA. Also, Northwest was one of only nine NJCAA Division II programs to receive a team academic award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. For the second year in a row, the "Lady Rangers" were also the only representative from Region 23 to earn the award; and

WHEREAS, the team consisted of Kaley Rikard of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Cristen Cleveland of Hernando, Mississippi; Kayla Beal of Southaven, Mississippi; Brinley Steed of Olive Branch, Mississippi; De'Aisha Browner of Pontotoc, Mississippi; Amelia Perkins of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Kennedy Smith of Southaven, Mississippi; Macy Woods of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Hailey Stephens of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Micah Swift of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Lia Ramos of Daphne, Alabama; Emma Norman of Arlington, Tennessee; Kailey Gooch of Oxford, Mississippi; Caroline Howard, of Pontotoc, Mississippi; Jacia Hayes of Pearl, Mississippi; and Macye Morgan of Southaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the team was led by Allison Burchyett, Head Coach; Ruth Ann Gammell, Volunteer Assistant; Candace Davenport, Volunteer Assistant; Justin Ware, Athletic Trainer; Taylor Young, Athletic Trainer; Jake Gordon, Athletic Director; Liesl Mote, Athletic Academic Advisor; Randall Pharr, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach; Brian Lentz, Sports Information Director; Brian Oakley, Assistant Sports Information Director; and Dr. Michael Heindl, President; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their college, 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 Northwest Mississippi Community College "Lady Rangers" Volleyball Team and Head Coach Allison Burchyett for winning its first-ever Region 23 Championship, and extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Allison Burchyett and NWMCC President Michael J. Heindl, PhD., J.D., for the team, forwarded to the NWMCC Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.