Choctaw Volleyball Enjoys Successful Spring Despite Rotating Cast of Coaches
Choctaw Volleyball Enjoys Successful Spring Despite Rotating Cast of Coaches
Despite the vacancy, the Choctaws faced a spring schedule featuring five different matchups.
Following the departure of longtime head coach Shawna Laurendine, Mississippi College volleyball has yet to identify her successor. Despite the vacancy, the Choctaws faced a spring schedule featuring five different matchups.
Laurendine led Choctaw Volleyball to one of the most successful periods in program history before stepping down on February 29, 2024. In six years at Mississippi College, Laurendine led her team to the GSC tournament three times and won the Spring Championship Series in 2021. Several Choctaws received accolades during her tenure, with eight earning All-GSC honors, Caroline Chastang winning Freshman of the Year, and Lexie Laurendie and Lydia Paulette being named All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Despite the ongoing coaching search, the team still had to hold practices if they wanted to compete this spring. The hard work did not stop for the Choctaws, even without coaches present: the team still held 6 a.m. practices twice a week, each member eager to get to work. Those early morning practices became team-run affairs, with senior players assuming a leadership role.
“As seniors, Ali [Wiggins], Julia [Sumrall], Londyn [Bakeris] and I were able to format practices similar to how they have been run in the past,” said senior Lydia Paulette. “Although there was no coach, the grind didn’t stop.”
Even with practices continuing successfully the team still needed a coach present on the sidelines if they wanted to play their spring schedule. Enter Choctaw Athletic Director Kenny Bizot and Director of Compliance Susan Musselwhite, who alternated coaching this spring as their busy schedules allowed.
“Having Kenny and Susan as a part of our ‘coaching staff’ was a fun experience for everyone involved,” said Paulette. “We were happy to have them with us and make them both undefeated in their seasons with MC volleyball.”
Despite Bizot and Musselwhite’s lack of experience on the sidelines, providing more encouragement than instruction, the Choctaws enjoyed a successful spring season. They finished their schedule 5-0, including wins over local opponents Millsaps and Belhaven.
Choctaw volleyball will kick off their fall 2024 season in Montevallo, Alabama, on September 21 at the Peach Belt-Gulf South Conference Crossover.