STARKVILLE — Abbigail Upchurch and Sierra Pittman had different takes on whether Upchurch had the potential to be a college volleyball player when she began playing for Starkville High School.
“She definitely did,” said Pittman, the Yellow Jackets’ outgoing coach. “She overstepped every obstacle that I gave her. She played so many positions from ninth grade all the way up to this past year. I really knew she was going to go somewhere.”
“My first year I never would have thought I would actually make it this far, but I’m so excited and I can’t wait for it,” Upchurch said. “I couldn’t ask for a better team to play for or a better coach.”
The better team is Itawamba Community College in Fulton, and Upchurch made her choice official on Wednesday in the Starkville High School library. Simultaneously, fellow senior McKailey Sauseda announced her intention to pursue cheer at Jones College in Ellisville.
Upchurch’s coach will be Annie McGregor, who was named last month as the new volleyball coach at ICC. She comes to the Indians after a decade at Pontotoc High School.
“You know how you can just talk to somebody and kind of see she’s a genuinely good person, and she wants the best for all of us,” Upchurch said. “I’m just really excited to play for her.”
McGregor inherits a team that posted a 19-12 record a year ago, winning the NJCAA Region 23 championship.
Pittman noted that Upchurch will see a familiar face on the floor at Itawamba, as middle blocker Jakailyn Brown will be entering her second season with the Indians.
“I cannot wait to watch because we had somebody last year go over there,” Pittman said. “Both of them together were really good two years ago, so I can’t wait to watch both of them.”
Upchurch, who cited Itawamba’s “beautiful campus” as well as the volleyball program as a draw, said she looks forward to continuing to grow as a player with the Indians.
“I can’t wait to keep on playing and getting better and just learn from the other girls as well because I’m sure they have a lot to teach me,” she said.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion