The Mississippi University for Women volleyball program bid a fond farewell to seniors DeAnna King and Harleigh Kelly on Friday evening, as the team closed the books on the 2021 season with an intrasquad match at Pohl Gym.
King and Kelly were presented framed jerseys and other souvenirs of their careers at The W.
King has been at The W for three years and played volleyball for two seasons. The defensive specialist came to the Owls by way of Corinth High School and Northeast Mississippi Community College.
”DeAnna is the most upbeat, positive and caring person,” first-year Owls coach Halee Hensley said. “She has been open to everything since the first day of practice. I cannot thank her enough for being her true self and helping me so much along the way.”
King is majoring in business administration with a minor in nonprofits. After graduation in May, King plans to serve an internship in event planning back home before beginning work on her master’s degree in business.
King was accompanied at the senior night ceremony by her father, Michael King.
Kelly is an outside hitter and right-side hitter who played three seasons for the Owls. She is from Vernon, Alabama, and is a graduate of Lamar County High School.
“Harleigh is the most carefree player I’ve probably ever had, or will ever have,” Hensley said. “I thank her for the endless amounts of laughter and crazy stories.”
Kelly is a kinesiology exercise science major, minoring in pre-physical therapy, and will graduate in the summer of 2022. After graduating, she plans to pursue her master’s in education at The W, eventually looking to a career as a science teacher and coach.
Kelly was accompanied by her husband, Colton Lee Kelly.
“I want to thank both seniors for taking me in and rolling with all the new things I’m trying to do here at The W,” Hensley said. “You will be truly missed every day. I cannot wait to see you both do great things in life.”
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Mississippi University for Women senior volleyball player Harleigh Kelly (19) is joined on senior night by, from left, Owls coach Halee Hensley, sophomore Camryn Johnson, sophomore Karmen McCrory, husband Colton Lee Kelly and assistant coach Tori Weir on Friday night at Pohl Gym in Columbus. Courtesy of Chris Jenkins/The W University Relations
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