Senate Resolution 82

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2022 BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL "LADY CARDINALS" VOLLEYBALL TEAM AND COACH STEPHANIE CLEVELAND FOR WINNING BACK-TO-BACK MHSAA 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, the Belmont High School Volleyball Team stormed into the MSU Gymnasium on October 21, 2022, 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 for the second time in school history; and

WHEREAS, Belmont swept South State Champion Sacred Heart for the second year in a row and hoisted the Golden Ball for the second time in school history. "We told the girls to keep the intensity you saw today all season, and they did," Belmont Coach Stephanie Cleveland said. "It does feel different from last season. It's surreal"; and

WHEREAS, the "Lady Cardinals" (34-5) dominated all three sets, winning 25-12, 25-17 and 25-13. It's been a common refrain for Belmont this year, which swept its way through the 2A Playoffs and played perfectly; and

WHEREAS, junior outside hitter Kerstin Moody took home MVP honors, tallying 19 kills, but the honor could have gone to any number of "Lady Cardinals." Junior Meredith Eaton played especially well, particularly in a six-kill second set; and

WHEREAS, "Our whole theme this year has been 'attack' and that's what we tried to do," Coach Cleveland said; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Volleyball Team Championship Roster: Madasen McCaig, Aubree Russell, Giselle Lopez, Anna Karen Merino, Meredith Eaton, Kerstin Moody, Addyson Liles, Emma Horton, Sadie Randolph, Sydnee Wilemon, Ava Crane, Sophie Greene, Jacey Deaton, Keiley Robinson, Bella Smith, Naomi Kitchens, and Maylie Holt; Eighth-Graders: Mariam Lynch, Elly Reno and Carlee Sparks; Coach Stephanie Cleveland; and Managers: Emma Osbirn, Greta Witt, Dalice Owens and Hailey Carouthers; 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Volleyball Team and Coach Stephanie Cleveland for winning back-to-back MHSAA 2A State Championships, 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.