The Jacksonville Area 5th and 6th grade volleyball league recently completed another successful season and tournament at Our Savior School gymnasium. The league featured 17 teams from 13 area schools.
As the league coordinator for the past 27 years, I have watched the volleyball program grow and the sport of volleyball in our community become more popular among this age group, despite the abundance of other winter and spring activities.
The league's unique appeal is that it is an all-volunteer operation, so participation is not limited by cost for participants or spectators. Students in Jacksonville and the surrounding area can use this experience to build confidence, character and skills, giving them a head start on extracurricular activities and socialization in middle school.
I would like to thank the coaches, players, and families of each team for all their hard work and support. I would also like to thank the Our Saber players, their families, the principal, concession manager Chad West, all the scoreboard volunteers, and the volunteer officials who served during my time as coach. This league would not have been the experience it was without all of these contributors.
Congratulations to all of the teams who placed in the top four at this year's tournament, especially the following teams: Greenfield (1st), West Central (Gray) (2nd), AC Central (3rd), and Virginia (4th). Members of the Greenfield team are Ciara Athens, Aubrey Bauer, Hadley Hallock, Blakely Hayes, Harper Hudson, Avery Pitchford, Quinn Rives, and Gracyn Stone. The Tigers are coached by Alaina Hallock.
