On February the seventh Hernando High School’s girls’ soccer team had their college soccer signing. Each one of these players has exemplified dedication, resilience, and incredible sportsmanship throughout their high school careers. Marlee Griffin, Rosamaria Ibarra, Brisa Davis, Hadleigh Williams, and Alivia Kelly have all committed to continue their careers on the collegiate level!
Marlee Griffin has committed to Northwest Mississippi Community College for soccer. Griffin says NWMCC has a “good team” and is “close to home” which aligns perfectly with how she wants to continue her career, and she is excited to join the team this fall. Throughout her career this far she has struggled with overthinking mistakes and a torn ACL which have taught her that she can overcome anything with hard work and persistence. This mentality is not the only thing that will benefit her on NWMCC’s soccer team. Griffin says that her good field vision and strong ball handling abilities are qualities that will also benefit her on the collegiate level. She and her family express excitement joining the Northwest team to continue her over thirteen-year career and continue to improve! Go Rangers! Next, we spoke to Rosamaria Ibarra on her commitment to Holmes College.
Holmes College is in the perfect area for Rosamaria Ibarra, and the soccer program’s competitiveness is best suited for her goals as a player. High school soccer has prepared her for her career in college by teaching her the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, and the importance of a strong mentality. There’s much anticipation for her and her family as she is the first in her family to commit to a college for soccer. Hernando is proud of Ibarra, and we know she will be the best bulldog on the field! Speaking of being best on the field Brisa Davis committed to Itawamba Community College to further her career.
Davis is excited to join Itawamba’s team to make new friends, grow with old friends, and continue to improve her soccer skills. She is prepared to bring her team building and bonding qualities to the team as she has learned to adapt and bring together new teams every year of her high school career. “I like to spend time with friends outside of soccer and I’m really hoping that translates when I play because the better you get along, the better you play with people.” She feels she will be an asset to the team, but she is excited to improve her overall skill and field vision. Davis and her family are looking forward to this new chapter with much anticipation! Hernando is so excited to say, “Roll Tribe!” with you! Alivia Kelley is bringing just as much excitement with her commitments to Dyersburg State Community College, our only girl to commit out of state!
There is so much excitement for our much-loved goalie, Alivia Kelley, committing to Dyersburg State CC in Dyersburg, TN. Kelley already feels like she is at home because Dyersburg has walked with her every step of the way in the recruitment process, making her feel like she is already part of the eagle family. Throughout her high school Kelley has learned to overcome pre-game jitters with prayer, and she feels prepared to adapt to a new team because she joined Hernando’s team later than most. Kelley started her soccer career late in the game compared to her peers, making her commitment to DSCC so much more special to her and her family. She is so excited and proud of all of her hard work that got her to sign with a college and officially join the Dyersburg team. We already know you will be the best eagle on the field and can’t wait to watch you soar. We all know eagles fly and so do planes, so let’s travel down to the coast of Mississippi to check out Hadleigh Williams commitment to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Williams plans on pursuing a career in aviation at MGCCC while continuing her soccer career. She is excited to be a part of such a “good team” and to learn from the other players there. The transition from middle school to high school soccer has prepared her mentally and physically to push herself and work hard to compete against college level soccer players. “Sports is a mental thing as much as it is physical, so I think I have a very strong mindset, and I’m always positive, and I’m a very aggressive player as well. I just think mindset is a big thing on the field.” Her persistent and positive mentality is going to be an asset to Gulf Coast’s soccer team, not only for herself but also for her teammates. Williams is not only excited to grow with her new team, but she is also happy to be able to show her family how grateful she is for all they have poured into her throughout her years playing soccer. We know you will be the most aggressive, yet positive, bulldog at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College!
Hernando is so proud of all of our girls and there is much anticipation for their careers playing soccer. We cannot wait to see our Tigers grow as people and as players! These girls are such lights in the school and on the field that HHS is so grateful for. Our former Lady Tigers have left incredible legacies of persistence, teamwork, sportsmanship, kindness, and hard work that hopefully will be passed down to our other players. Again, congratulations ladies and, as always, go Tigers!
