Students were welcomed back to campus this past week full of activities led by the FTCC SGA. The weekend ended with a student-athlete cookout and the 2022 Volleyball Alumni Game.
The student-athletes were greeted at the athletic event by Athletic Director, Dr. Shannon Yates, where they were introduced to the theme of the year: Respect all, fear none. Each athlete secured a t-shirt, car decal and NJCAA/Region 10 All-Academic certificates were distributed to the honorees.
“Saturday marked the beginning of the 2022-23 season for FTCC Athletics. As I begin my third year, I am so very proud of all the accomplishments and success that our student-athletes and staff have achieved working together this past year. I am very grateful for all of the support provided by President Keen and the Executive Council towards athletics. After seeing all the athletes today, I am looking forward to an even more successful year as we focus on increasing our academic and athletic achievements. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Sorrells, Carl Mitchell and Dr. Rosemary Kelly for attending our Welcome Back event and to our FTCC SGA for sponsoring the festivities,” said Dr. Yates.
Other FTCC leaders were in attendance in support of athletics. Dr. Mark Sorrells, Senior VP, Acad & Stud Services, congratulated the student-athletes on their academic success and athletic success from the previous season before Carl Mitchell, VP Human Resources, asked a blessing over the entire group of athletes.
“It was great to see a big group of fantastic men and women who make up our athletic programs. We are excited to have great seasons this year in athletics. I am anxious to see the volleyball team play the alumni from previous years to start their season off today,” said Dr. Sorrells following the cookout on Saturday.
Dr. Rosemary Kelly, Associate VP Student Services, was also at the cookout welcoming the student-athletes. “It was great to see the comradery within all the different team members today. Everyone seems like a family throughout all the sports. All the athletes and staff act together like one team, one family and remain Trojan strong.”
Following the greetings, lunch was prepared and served by the athletic staff along with games set up for the athletes to play courtesy of SGA. Then everyone headed over to Horace Sisk at 2pm to watch the 2022 Volleyball Alumni Game.
Eight alumni participated in the game on Saturday: Krislyn Bullard, Jessica Ware, Kristen Woods, AnnaMarie Miller, Paige Stalnaker, Lauren Adams, Alexis Spexarth, and Alyssa Wrench.
The first game started out with a strong presence from the 2022 FTCC roster, securing the win 25-18. In the second game, the alumni started to give them a run for their money but still the FTCC roster pulled out the win 25-19. The promising 2022 team won game three as well, 25-20, but not before the alumni made some long runs to make it a close match.
It was the largest crowd seen in Horace Sick in a while, with a great atmosphere for the athletes to play in. FTCC SGA set up concessions with all proceeds going to the Volleyball program to help fund their trip to New York this fall.
Volleyball starts on the road this week with two scrimmages and then opens their season in Chattanooga, TN on August 26.
To follow along with the Volleyball team this season, all information can be found on our FTCC athletics website.
2022 Volleyball Schedule
2022 Volleyball Roster