House Concurrent Resolution 57

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE LADY RANGERS VOLLEYBALL TEAM UPON CAPTURING THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AND UPON A REMARKABLE 2024 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) Lady Rangers Volleyball Team, under the leadership of Head Coach Allison Burchyett and Assistant Coach David Culver, are being honored and celebrated upon capturing the inaugural Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Rangers compiled an impressive 25-9 overall record, and they also finished as runners-up in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament, marking the program's third consecutive winning season and second straight 20-win campaign, which speaks volumes of the dedication and talent of the Lady Rangers as well as to the exceptional leadership of their coaches; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Rangers achieved a memorable 16-match winning streak during the season, highlighted by key conference victories and a strong start in MACCC play, and due to this strong play, five Lady Rangers, Rachel Stegall, Maddie Smith, Kaya Coleman, Layla Dyer and Anna Lott, earned All-MACCC Team honors; and

WHEREAS, more specifically, sophomore outside hitter Rachel Stegall earned First Team All-MACCC and All-NJCAA Region 23 honoree, collecting 314 kills and a team-high 75 service aces, which rank second in school history (single-season and career); and

WHEREAS, freshman outside hitter Maddie Smith earned Second Team All-MACCC, leading the team with 348 kills (second-most in a single season in program history), and named MACCC Offensive Player of the Week for an outstanding 4-0 week early in October; and

WHEREAS, additionally, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Kaya Coleman earned Second Team All-MACCC, recording 111 blocks to become the first Lady Ranger to surpass 100 blocks in a single season and concluding her NWCC career with 129 total blocks; and

WHEREAS, sophomore setter Layla Dyer earned Second Team All-MACCC, finishing her two-year career with 2,038 assists (breaking her own career assists record) and 710 digs (a new program record), while also ranking fourth in career service aces (70), and she also further distinguished herself by eclipsing the program's single-season assists record for the second straight year, logging 1,127 assists this season and setting new milestones in career digs and matches played; and

WHEREAS, sophomore opposite hitter Anna Lott earned Honorable Mention, tallying 77 blocks this season (second only to Coleman), closing with 142 career blocks (tied for third all-time), and ranking second in career matches played (75); and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Allison Burchyett, Assistant Coach David Culver and the outstanding Lady Rangers' student-athletes are to be congratulated for their dedication, demonstrated exceptional skill, sportsmanship, determination and success, which have brought distinction to Northwest Mississippi Community College; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize excellence of young people of this state such as the Lady Rangers whose unparalleled teamwork, resilience, and commitment to excellence, has brought immense pride and recognition to Northwest Mississippi Community College and its surrounding community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we honor and commend the Northwest Mississippi Community College Lady Rangers Volleyball Team for their remarkable 2024 season, including a MACCC Championship, a NJCAA Region 23 runner-up finish, and multiple record-breaking performances, and we wish them continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Lady Rangers Volleyball Team, Head Coach Allison Burchyett, President Michael Heindl, and the Northwest Mississippi Community College Athletics Department, and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.