McKenzie High School Volleyball Begins Inaugural Season Thursday

McKENZIE — McKenzie High School begins its newest athletic endeavor Thursday, August 21 with the volleyball season opener. The Lady Rebels host Waverly in the MHS gymnasium.

JV begins play at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity teams.

Coach Jordan Jowers spoke to The Banner about the new program. "I'm so excited, and I'm so proud. We started the first week of July, and we have worked incredibly hard. These girls have put in so much work. They knew nothing about volleyball at the start of July. They have learned so many fundamentals. They have been so coachable. It has been a true joy to watch them grow as athletes."

Jowers played volleyball in high school as well as for travel and club teams. She has previously coached softball for McKenzie.

She said the team's goal is to work hard. "What we do on the court will speak for our success. They are working very hard, and I'll always be proud if they work their hardest."

As a brand new team, there's no natural succession of leadership. Jowers said, "You don't have to pick leaders, leaders just make themselves known. I told the girls, a true leader is not one with athletic ability, but one that is mentally tough."

The coach noted, "Volleyball is a very emotional sport, you'd be shocked at how the momentum changes just based on emotions. It's so important to be mentally strong. Athleticism is pretty natural at McKenzie, we have lots of athletic girls. I'm more worried about their character than anything else. I feel like that's what will take them to the next level athletically. Wanting the best for their team, staying mentally tough. Saying 'If I make a mistake, it's ok. I can do better next time.' Our motto is, 'If we know better, we do better."

Jowers expressed her appreciation for the community's support. "I'm so grateful for all of the support. People have been so positive and so excited. We have had incredible people and businesses fundraising. We're so grateful for anybody who has made it possible. It has been so much fun."

She's optimistic that that support will continue in the stands. "It makes all the difference when people are cheering. I'm very hopeful for the season because it's new. The more support we have, the better the girls are going to play. Volleyball is incredibly momentum-based, so the crowd makes all the difference. If we have a big crowd and our girls are being cheered for, the way that they play is heightened."

MHS is the newest team in District 12A, which includes Clarksburg, West Carroll, Riverside, JCM, Madison and Huntingdon.

The team includes seniors Ashley Dunavant, Haylee Beard, Molly French and Raychel Oliver; sophomores Addison Milam, Ava Newman, Braylin Auvenshine, Breanna Townsend, Janyla Piro, Jaycee Stafford, Kailie Hudgins, Kynadie Brown, Maggie Hall and Natalia Taylor; and freshmen Chloe Giddens, Kynlee Barden and Ridley Holt. Managers are seniors Carlton Townes and Carli Beeler.

MHS 2025 Volleyball Schedule

8-21 Waverly

8-28 Clarksburg

9-2 @ JCM

9-4 JCM

9-8 @ South Gibson

9-15 Huntingdon

9-16 @ Riverside

9-18 Riverside

9-22 Madison (DH)

9-23 West Carroll

9-25 @ Huntingdon

9-29 @ Clarksburg

9-30 @ West Carroll

10-2 @ Waverly

All matches begin at 5 p.m.