House Concurrent Resolution 77

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL LADY BULLDOGS VOLLEYBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH KELSA WALKER FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS III STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Brandon High School Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Team reigned victorious against DeSoto Central High School to win the 2018 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class III State Volleyball Championship at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center on the campus of the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, as a Scholar-Athlete Team with an average GPA of 3.752, the Lady Bulldogs, 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, winning 12 straight sets to defeat Biloxi High School in the first round, Ocean Springs High School in the second round and Madison Central High School in the semi-finals, the Lady Bulldogs defeated DeSoto Central, winning three sets straight with scores of 25-22, 25-21 and 25-12; and

WHEREAS, there were amazing spikes, serves and saves by individual players, but the key to the team's success has been the amazing team spirit and year-round hard work by the following talented student-athletes: Kate Bass, Callie Minshew, Kennedy Jordan, Lashundria Chatman, Gabbie Padilla, Kiley Nations, Deja Errington, Janai Mason, Phoebe Garrett, Olivia Stegall, Raegan Wilson, Kristen Wheeler, Alyssa Rayborn, Michaela Comans, Maddie Horton, Brianna Shivers, Jordan Sullivan, Lauren McLamore, Breanna Cooper, Jolee Gibson, Lillie Grace Garrett, Natalie Bartholomew, Sunni Sheppard, Rachel Stegall, Hannah Reed and Jayne Bass; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Kelsa Walker has an immensely impressive coaching record of 137 wins and only 29 losses, with two Class III state championship titles, two region championship titles and six various tournament championships, and for her success she was named 2018 National Federation of State High School Association's Volleyball Coach of the Year, 2018 South All-Star Volleyball Coach and 2017 Clarion Ledger Volleyball Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Coach Walker has superbly coached and inspired the Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Team and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and she, along with Assistant Coaches Malorie Aldridge, Taylor Huey and Austin Bahm, continue 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 their ability to produce high caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding student-athletes, especially those such as the Brandon High School Lady Bulldogs 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, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Brandon High School Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Team and Head Coach Kelsa Walker for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class III State Volleyball Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

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