For Coach Jamie Cross, volleyball has always been more than a game- it’s been her calm in the storm. Cross has been coaching for 24 years, six of those years she’s been thriving at Hernando; winning six district tournaments. Cross started her volleyball career in high school at Southaven; winning two state championships ,and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2001. Then she moved up in her career playing for Northwest Shoals Community College; winning another two state titles and Alabama JUCO Player of the Year in 2002. Remarkably, finishing her volleyball career at Mississippi State University.
Cross’ hard work and determined mind set leads her to believe that her team is capable of winning a state championship title this year, her team is full of amazing, hardworking seniors who will hopefully pave the way to her first state championship this year; she loves the bittersweet moments with the seniors.We asked Cross how her team has improved from last year to this year.
“Theres a lot of growth and maturity, you know anytime you have a team from being younger to growing older. You just kinda learn your different roles, like being a role model. The older girls are good at taking the younger ones under their wing,” she exclaimed. Cross’ favorite thing about this season is watching the girls play the game they love, and how they smile and laugh with each other.
“The main goal the girls have vocalized this year is going to the state championship, getting seated high in the district ,and doing better than last year. Just setting the goal higher every year,” Cross recalled on our podcast.
After her decorated playing career, Cross turned to coaching- following in the footsteps of her college mentor. Cross’ first coaching job was under her college coach.
“She was a huge mentor and a huge reason that I coach, she coached me three years in my college career. She was a big mentor in my first five years of coaching,” Cross told us that she inspired her to start coaching volleyball. Cross’ girls make her believe that this year is the year to win. They are already top two in the district and have greats odds of making it to state this year.
The tigers are looking forward to an unstoppable season this year!
