Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Collins Becomes A Lady Commodore

Another Jackson County athlete is Movin’ On Up as Sneads High School volleyball standout Mattie Collins received a scholarship to attend Gulf Coast Community College and play volleyball. The signing took place last Friday morning before family, friends and fellow Pirate students. Collins racked up some impressive numbers during her senior season including 278 kills, 73 service aces, 39 blocks and 137 digs. She helped lead the Lady Pirates to a District Championship and the Regional Finals of the FHSAA playoffs.

Her Head Coach at Sneads, Shelia Roberts, said Collins is very deserving of the scholarship, even if at one time her volleyball future was in doubt. "She told me in the 7th grade that she didn’t know if volleyball was for her. I told her to stick with it and she worked extremely hard over the next five years. She certainly has earned this," said Roberts. Collins was also the FACA Player of the Year this past season, which gave the Lady Pirates back to back winners of this award as last year’s award went to Kali Pringle. Pringle, on hand for the signing, is now playing volleyball for Pensacola Jr. College and will be one of Collin’s opponents next season.

Gulf Coast Community College Coach Terri Bedford was excited about the signing. "We’re excited to get a player like Mattie. Coach Roberts does a great job of preparing her players and they are very disciplined. Mattie should be a great asset to our squad as a left hander that jumps so well and plays great defense," said Bedford. For her part Collins said she will miss being at Sneads but is eager to move to the next level. "I’m excited and looking forward to next season at Gulf Coast but I am going to miss my coach and teammates a lot," Collins commented.

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