NEMCC Lady Tigers Volleyball counting heavily on local area players -

BOONEVILLE, Miss. – The Northeast Mississippi Community College volleyball program is taking advantage of local talent more than ever going into its third season of competition. Eight of the 13 total players on its roster are from high schools inside Northeast’s traditional service area of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties.

“The sport of volleyball is growing in north Mississippi and growing fast,” said Lady Tigers head coach Brenda Mayes. “We have several local athletes and so when you represent your district, you want your family and friends to come out and watch you play. The bigger the crowd, the more excited it will become.”

2025 NEMCC volleyball Lady Tigers (front L-R) ball shagger Lauren Buse, manager Jasmine Killough, Sophie Johnson, Reese Moore, Ava Siegel, Allie Kirkland, student trainer Lauryn Smithey, ball shagger Madi Middleton
(back L_R) assistant athletic trainer Danielle Ashley, manager Jaci Anderson, Carine Delfin, head cocah Brenda Mayes, Abbey Hall, Addi Vetovitz, Haley Guare, Brooklyn Chappell, Eliza Whitenton, Bailey Whitlock, Addy Hicks, Cora Kelly, ball shagger Haley Scales and assistant coach Jake Hannon. PHOTO: Michael H. Miller/Northeast Public Information

Three of the newest Lady Tigers, including Carine Delfin, Allie Kirkland and Addi Vetovitz, also either played for or won a state championship during their four-year prep careers.

Delfin and Vetovitz were the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A runners-up last fall at New Albany. Vetovitz had a combined nine kills and five blocks in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the playoffs. Delfin earned all-area honors from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and was an all-state selection from the libero position. She recorded 825 digs, 86 assists and 45 aces during her senior campaign. Kirkland helped Alcorn Central capture the 2021 MHSAA Class 3A title. She won Player of the Year accolades from the Daily Corinthian twice and finished in the top 10 statewide in aces, blocks and kills as a senior.

Haley Guare (Corinth), Addi Hicks (Walnut) and Eliza Whitenton (East Union) were the top hitters for their respective high school programs. Whitenton was a Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal all-area recipient after a junior campaign that featured 303 kills and 41 aces. Guare and Hicks were both first-team all-area picks by the Daily Corinthian in 2024 along with Chappell. Guare amassed 262 kills and 186 digs while Hicks, who was her division’s Offensive Player of the Year, had 279 kills, 194 digs and 37 aces.

Cora Kelly (Myrtle) and Bailey Whitlock (South Pontotoc) were two of six newcomers that competed in the Northeast Mississippi Volleyball Coaches Association (NEMVCA) All-Star Game this summer. So, too, did Delfin, Guare, Hicks and Whitenton.

Reese Moore (Tishomingo County) joins Kirkland as transfer additions for the Lady Tigers. She was voted as the Offensive Player of the Year by both the Daily Corinthian and her division’s coaches in 2023 after accumulating 485 kills, 140 digs and 65 aces.

Sophie Johnson Caledonia) and Ava Siegel (Tuscumbia, AL) are the lone returners from last year for Northeast. Johnson and Siegel ia, Ala.) were both starters as freshmen at setter and outside hitter, respectively. “Sophie has gotten so much better. She has improved on her passing skills and jump serve,” Mayes said. “Johnson registered double-digit assists in 25 of the 31 games that she participated in. She had three double-doubles, including a 29-assist and 11-dig effort against Lawson State (Ala.) Community College on the final weekend of the regular season. Siegel is a versatile athlete that can fill in as a defensive specialist, setter or right-side hitter if necessary. She posted nine or more kills in seven of her last 11 matches, including a career-best of 20 in a victory over Meridian Community College. Ava’s just consistent. She needs to be on the floor. It’s not just her hitting. It’s her passing and serving. She’s just an all-around good player that handles her business.”

Joining Siegel as members of the team from beyond the borders of the Magnolia State are Brooklyn Chappell (Guys, Tenn.) and Abbey Hall (Granbury, Texas). Chappell led McNairy Central High School one year ago with 164 kills and 157 digs.

I think this is the year and the opportunity for us to push forward,” said Mayes. “We’re working some options out so I think we’ll be fine.”

The Lady Tigers began their MACCC conference schedule on August 27, 2025, against Northwest Mississippi Community College with a 3-0 loss. To follow them throughout the season, see the link below.