MHS Volleyball Celebrates Inaugural Season with Banquet

McKENZIE (October 30) — Players, managers, family and fans gathered at McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Thursday to celebrate the inaugural season of volleyball at McKenzie High School.

Coach Jordan Jowers welcomed all to the event, and players Kynlee Barden and Ridley Holt delivered a blessing before a delicious meal catered by Mallard's Restaurant.

Following the meal, Jowers spoke about the whirlwind journey of the team's first season, from her decision to accept the coaching role, to starting from scratch to build and train a team in just a month, to grinding through the season's 17 games.

The Lady Rebels overperformed by any measure for a brand new program, winning seven matches and going 6-6 in the district for a fourth-place finish. The team earned a home game to begin the postseason, which they won.

Jowers thanked the many people who made the season not only possible, but a success: the players, managers, parents, Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden and the MHS administration. She also thanked her own parents, who were present at the banquet, for the way they "always show up."

Two of the team's four senior players, Molly French and Ashley Dunavant, also spoke, expressing thanks and offering encouraging words to their teammates.

Coach Jowers presented a multitude of awards:

Leadership Awards - Kynadie Brown, Maggie Hall and Braylin Auvenshine

Party Time Award - Raychel Oliver and Ava Newman

Team Comedian and Mic'd Up Award - Molly French

Most Likely to Forget - Haylee Beard, Janyla Piro and Ava Newman

Team Mom - Molly French and Kynlee Barden

Angel Award - Breanna Townsend

Coachable Award - Janyla Piro

Growth Award - Chloe Giddens

Hustle Award - Kailie Hudgins

Most Versatile - Haylee Beard

Iron Wall Award and Team DJ - Braylin Auvenshine

Heart of the Team and Hype Queen - Maggie Hall

Serving Specialists - Ridley Holt, Kynlee Barden and Kynadie Brown

Most Improved and Silent Killer - Natalia Taylor

Defensive MVP and Floor Mom - Ashley Dunavant

Offensive MVP - Addison Milam

MVP - Jaycee Stafford

Most Photogenic - Jaycee Stafford and Kynadie Brown

Lindsey Holt presented Jowers with a gift on behalf of the parents and boosters.

The banquet concluded, but guests lingered for photos and fellowship.

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 and sophomores Anna Mileski and Delta Baker.