Lady Red Devils building in second year of volleyball
VINA — Volleyball may be the newest sport at Vina High School, but the Lady Red Devils are already charging into their second season with excitement and determination.
Head coach Brittany Pannell, who launched the program last year after students begged for a team, said the enthusiasm has been contagious.
“They love it,” she said. “They would probably stay up there for hours if I would let them. Even if I’m not there, they ask if they can go in the gym and practice.”
Addisyn Pannell, the coach’s stepdaughter, transferred from Pontotoc, Mississippi, bringing a couple of years of experience.
Samantha Elders, who came from Red Bay, adds another steady presence on the court.
Seventh grader Kylie Cochran has also impressed early and will see time on both junior high and JV.
Pannell also pointed to her niece, Lindie Easterling, as a defensive spark. “She’s little bitty, but she packs a punch,” Pannell said.
Her hustle and attitude already stood out.
“If I have a libero, she’s going to be my libero. She’s very encouraging for the younger girls.”
Left, assistant coach Jessica Childers; right, head coach, Brittany Pannell.
Pannell also mentioned Marissa Lamar, a setter, is bringing her experience back to the team.
In addition to those fresh faces, Pannell said most of her JV roster is back from last year, giving the team a foundation of returners to lean on while the program continues to grow.
Volleyball is still young at Vina.
Pannell said the idea had been discussed for years. Concerns about scheduling and overlap with other activities delayed the start. In the end, it was the persistence of her daughters and their classmates that pushed it over the line.
“They begged me for years to have the team,” Pannell said. “We were the only school in the county that didn’t have volleyball. When they finally let us, a ton of girls signed up.”
The Lady Red Devils even notched their first win in their very first game last season. For Pannell, that milestone underscored how far a group of beginners could come in such a short time.
She tries to match her players’ eagerness with an approach that balances structure with enjoyment.
“I try to keep it as fun as possible,” she said. “I’m not too hard on them. I want them to learn, but I also want them to love playing.”
Still, there is plenty of learning to do.
Pannell said the junior high group is focused on passing and footwork, while the junior varsity team is moving into structured plays after starting with only the basics last year.
“For the junior high, they don’t know what positions to go into to get the ball, and they don’t want to run over somebody,” she said.
That hesitation has made the fundamentals their top priority.
“Calling the ball is a big problem, so we’re working on that. On junior varsity, we’re working on more plays.”
The older group has moved past basics and is now ready to layer in structure.
“Last year, we literally just kind of played street ball,” Pannell added. “This year we’re trying to incorporate more of ‘OK, now this position does this, the setter goes here.’” Leadership has helped guide that growth. Pannell said Elders and her daughter, Addisyn, both step in to help the new players, while Easterling keeps the younger group encouraged.
“She claps for them even if they don’t get it over the net serving,” Pannell said. “She’s like, that’s OK. So, she’s very encouraging.”
The Lady Red Devils’ schedule includes a meeting with Saltillo, Mississippi, and a scrimmage with Guntown Middle School, which carries extra significance for Pannell.
Facing her sister’s squad adds a personal twist to the season. Her older sister coaches the Guntown team, making the matchup a family affair.
Pannell said she hopes her players take away more than wins and losses from their time on the team.
“I really want them to learn how to be a team player,” she said. “To trust their teammates, be a positive role model for the younger ones, and just have a positive attitude.”
For her, volleyball stands out because of how much it depends on trust and teamwork.
“It is 100% a team effort,” she said. “You’ve got to rely on your teammates that they’ll do their job and be there. It’s definitely not a one-man show.”
Pannell also stresses the importance of encouragement. “It’s not always about winning. It’s about learning.”
“Encouragement is big for me — I don’t want them saying negative things if somebody’s not doing good,” she explained.
This season also marks the final year of the program’s probation period.
The Lady Red Devils are not yet sanctioned, which means they cannot compete in state-level tournaments.
Pannell said the team is using the time to focus on learning and building a foundation for the future.
Pannell said those lessons are what she values most.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the scoreboard,” she said. “It’s about the girls learning, encouraging each other and realizing how important it is to work as a team.”
The coaches Pannell teaches fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade math at Vina and previously coached cheerleading for eight or nine years.
Assistant coach Jessica Childers, who also serves as the school nurse, helps keep the team motivated and balanced. Pannell said Childers is a motivator for the players and a calming presence for her as a coach.
The team also benefits from occasional help from Matthew Taylor and his daughter, McKenna, of Hamilton, who share their volleyball experience by working with the Lady Red Devils on drills and fundamentals.
