Simmons Volleyball
Back row: coach George Wallace, coach JoAnn Hollis, Mackenzie Martin, Raven Venable, Mattie Test, Hannah Sanders, Olivia Rand, Savanna Atkins, Coach Shelby Wallace, and Coach Claudia McMeekin. Front row: Evalyn Nagamau, Audrey Colabrese, Reece Vaughan, Maggie Ethridge, Ashlee Frier, and Brook Hoven. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Bueche.
The Simmons Middle School eighth-grade volleyball team recently won the metro tournament for the second year in a row.
“It was no cake walk. I’m so proud of these young ladies!” said coach and teacher JoAnn Hollis, who is retiring after 40 years of teaching and 30 years of coaching.
Coach Hollis is retiring from teaching and coaching on a high note. The 2014 team set the record for the only team to win consecutive championships and maintain a perfect record.
In addition, the eighth-grade volleyball team made a small wager with the Assistant Principal Kevin Erwin prior to the tournament, that if they won, he would have to dye his beard a color of their choosing. On the day after the tournament, he sported a purple beard and wore it proudly.
-Submitted by Rebecca Bueche
