CALEDONIA — Kaylee Jernigan was disappointed, but not mad.
After a post-match team meeting, she walked away with a smile on her face. She showed a bounce in her step as she ran off to help her teammates take down the volleyball net, gather up the volleyballs, and get the court ready to play basketball.
No one would have blamed Jernigan if she was upset after seeing six years of varsity volleyball come to an end, but the senior walked away satisfied following Caledonia’s 3-1 loss to Lewisburg on Thursday night in the second round of he Mississppi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class II playoffs. Set scores were 25-22, 12-25, 11-25, 16-25.
“I just have so much fun out there on the court. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose,” Jernigan said. “Just playing with those people is the best thing I could ask for. Leaving it all out there is what we did and it was great.”
Lewisburg (25-12) will play the winner of Germantown-Vancleave match at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Millsaps College in a semifinal match.
Jernigan and classmates Jensen Reed, Cheyenne Ruth, and Gracie McCleskey played their last matches. Jernigan and McCleskey served as co-captains.
Caledonia coach Samantha Brooks, who ends her 11th season with a record of 27-6, has known the seniors for a while. She serves as an elementary school teacher and got to know the four at a young age.
“It’s sad, and it’s hard to see them walk away,” Brooks said. “I’ve seen them grow into wonderful young women. It’s been a pleasure to coach them, but it is time for them to spread their wings and fly.”
Brooks said the seniors have meant leadership and consistency for her program. She said she has a good group coming up from the junior varsity team, but she said losing two starting middle hitters, a starting outside hitter, and a starting setter will be hard to replace.
Caledonia made the playoffs last season, but lost to Corinth 3-0 in the first round. Caledonia swept Cleveland 3-0 Tuesday in the first round.
Brooks said the seniors got together before the season and decided to be the driving force behind the team.
“We just wanted to let everybody have as much fun as they could have,” Jernigan said. “It’s our last year and we wanted to put it all out there. We wanted to push everyone, encourage everyone, and be their friend to help them.
“Our seniors this year were fantastic. We were always there to encourage each other and help each other and just pick each other up.”
Tied in the first set, the Lady Confederates used a 6-0 run to take a 9-3 lead. The Lady Patriots got as close as 14-13 and 16-15, but the Lady Confederates pulled away down the stretch to take the lead.
The Lady Patriots trailed 1-0 in the second set, but they scored the next two points and never trailed again.
“Because we had such a great season, they fought so hard and they came so far, they’re really proud of their accomplishments,” Brooks said. “We’re not hanging our heads. Obviously we wanted to advance, but they’re not hanging their heads. They’re all very positive about it, as positive as you can be after a loss.”
Brooks can’t wait for Jernigan, Reed, Ruth, and McCleskey to come back and support the program from the stands.
Jernigan began her volleyball career in the seventh grade. Although it’s over, she is thankful for the time she had on the court.
“I’m glad we ended the way we ended,” Jernigan said. “We didn’t give up and we didn’t hang our heads. I’m not sad at all about it. I’m just glad I had a good time in high school playing volleyball.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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