NEW HOPE — Annie Woolbright was no more than 6 years old when she presented her family with her first-ever work of art: a dress made out of duct tape.
“We knew then that she was gifted with artistic abilities,” her mother, New Hope volleyball coach Allison Woolbright, said.
As the years went on, Annie branched out. She watched YouTube tutorials and learned how to make bracelets, construct necklaces and even braid hair — “all this stuff that I would not have the patience to do,” her mother said.
Recently, the New Hope freshman setter has taken on a new challenge. After jigsaw puzzles wore her patience thin, Woolbright watched a YouTube video on how to make homemade earrings. Her interest was piqued.
“I was like, ‘Mom, we’ve got to go to Hobby Lobby and get me stuff,'” she said.
She purchased fabric and clips to put together her new creations, which wasn’t always easy. Now, though, Woolbright can make a new pair in only five minutes.
“You have to use tools, and it’s kind of complicated, but you get the hang of it after a while,” she said.
In both her new pastime and on the volleyball court, Woolbright is hitting her stride. She’s part of a New Hope team that has lost only two regular-season matches after making the state semifinals last year for the first time in school history. This season, the Trojans have designs on the MHSAA Class 5A title.
“State is one of our biggest dreams and one of our biggest goals this season,” Woolbright said.
It’s why she was willing to make a sacrifice for her team’s betterment. Two weeks ago, New Hope switched from a 5-1 rotation to a 6-2, bringing Marlee Davis in as a second setter and resulting in less time on the floor for Woolbright.
“Taking her off the court three rotations was hard for her,” coach Woolbright said. “It was a difficult thing for me as a mom to make that decision.”
As a coach, though, the elder Woolbright knew it was the best choice for the Trojans, who needed more blocking ahead of the stretch run.
“Going to state, you have to have blockers,” Annie said. “No matter what, there’s always going to be hitters.”
She bought into her mother’s change, willing to come off the floor when needed.
“You just have to be a team player when coach Woolbright says we’re changing rotations,” she said.
Yes, that’s “coach Woolbright,” not “Mom,” despite the family dynamic on the team. Annie’s sister Kensley is the Trojans’ sophomore libero, and the siblings typically put their personal squabbles aside for game time.
“When we’re teammates, we’re usually pretty good and can keep it under control,” Annie said.
Thursday’s Dig Pink Game against rival Caledonia was a good sign of everything going in motion for New Hope. The Trojans’ new rotation worked seamlessly as they earned a sweep in straight sets.
And just before the start of the third set, Annie’s name was called over the PA system, and she danced briefly before play began.
The reason? A pair of “weirdly shaped” snakeskin earrings she’d made and donated to the raffle that night — held to support the research and treatment of Stage IV breast cancer — was about to find a new home.
Woolbright began selling her creations to family, friends and classmates this summer, offering most pairs cheap — typically $8 or $10. Coach Woolbright wears a black pair her daughter made almost every day.
Lately, Woolbright has even tried to expand her business. She created the Instagram page @anniesdesigns_ to hock her wares in late July, and the account has 100 followers as of Monday. Woolbright hopes it will expand.
“Definitely, I’d like to make it bigger, but living in a small town, there’s a (limit) to what you can do,” she said.
One day, she said, she might start her own Etsy page to sell her earrings — and anything else she dreams up someday.
“I feel like I could be a good business owner because I just like being able to be in charge,” Woolbright said. “It’s fun to do. I enjoy it. It could definitely be something.”
Monday’s scores
Starkville 3, New Hope 0
STARKVILLE — Woolbright’s New Hope team was swept at Starkville High School on Monday.
Set scores were 25-23, 25-14 and 25-13.
Daylyn Nettles and Micaela Hudgins tied with six kills each to lead New Hope, and Madyson McBrayer added three. Nettles and Hudgins each had two blocks.
Kensley Woolbright had 18 digs, while Nettles and McBrayer had four each.
Annie Woolbright had six assists, and Marlee Davis had four. Davis led the team with two aces.
The Trojans’ final match of the regular season is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against Grace Christian for senior night in New Hope.
The Yellow Jackets head into the playoffs with a 15-4 record.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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