Red Bay Tigers enter season with new coach at helm

RED BAY — The Tigers volleyball team is entering a new era with Trey Wiygul taking over as head coach. Wiygul is also the school’s new assistant principal.

With a mix of veterans and promising young talent, the team is focused on growth and building a new foundation.

The Tigers have a strong core of returning players to lean on, including seniors Anna Kate Burks and Kyla Blackburn, and junior Addy Blackburn. Their leadership will be crucial as the team integrates several newcomers.

Among the new faces to watch are freshmen Kamryn Kuykendall and Brittan Gasaway, along with sophomore Mikayla Jackson.

Coach Wiygul said he will be playing a lot of different players early in the season to see who steps up and performs best “when the lights come on.”

Red Bay will work on building confidence and trust in each other. Wiygul said he has been “very impressed” with the team’s attitude and their willingness to do everything asked of them.

He said his main focus is on helping the players believe in themselves and their abilities so they can avoid letting one bad play snowball into a string of errors. Wiygul said he’s confident that the hard work the team has put in during the preseason will pay off this season.

Wiygul said he and his team are excited as they look to the future and the growth of the program.

With a new coach and a blend of returning and new players, the Tigers are poised for a season of building and growth.

About the coach

Wiygul brings 28 years of experience in education and coaching, along with a passion for student success and an energetic, relationship- driven approach.

Originally from the Dorsey community near Fulton, Mississippi, he has spent his career in education serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, athletic director, and most recently, superintendent of the Itawamba County School District.

TREY WIYGUL

Wiygul holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Mississippi State University and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi.

He began his career at Mooreville High School, then moved to Dorsey Attendance Center, where he served as teacher, coach and assistant principal before becoming principal. He later became principal at Itawamba Agricultural High School, serving there for more than a decade before taking on the role of superintendent.

Throughout his career, Wiygul has coached football, basketball, baseball, golf, track, cross country, and, once, a game of soccer. While he hasn’t coached volleyball before, he has played it recreationally.

His assistant coaches will be Jade Hallmark and Ashley Blackburn, who will lead the junior high team.

“I’m excited to learn and grow with the girls,” Wiygul said. “Volleyball is fast-paced, team-oriented, and it really demands strong communication.

“We’re going to be disciplined, fundamentally sound, and outwork everybody,” he added. “I want our girls to compete and have fun doing so. I want them to wear the Red Bay Tigers logo with pride and passion.”

Outside of school, Wiygul enjoys spending time with his family.

He and his wife, Kerry, a retired teacher, live in the Dorsey community in Mississippi.