JACKSON - After the best season in Millsaps Volleyball since 2004, Head Coach Jamie Fisher and the Millsaps Majors look to build off their recent success and become a serious contender in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. This season, the Majors prepare to welcome six freshmen and one junior transfer to the team. Though the Majors lost seven seniors this past season, Millsaps plans to reload with key starters returning and a talented incoming recruiting class. Here is a look at the six freshmen and one JUCO transfer coming in.
Mackenzie Westphal, Outside Hitter, Western Nebraska CC, Scottsbluff, Neb.
Mackenzie Westphal comes to the Millsaps volleyball team as a transfer out of Western Nebraska Community College where she helped lead the Cougars to the NJCAA National Championship in 2010. Before community college, she attended Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska where she earned All-Conference three years in a row and All-State both athletically and academically her senior year. Westphal will be classified as a junior coming in.
Christina Tilton Defensive Specialist, St. Agnes HS, Germantown, Tenn.
Out of Memphis Tennessee, Christina Tilton comes to Millsaps as a defensive specialist. During her time at St. Agnes High School, she helped lead her team to the final four of the Tennessee state finals while being the team captain her senior year. Tilton was name Honorable Mention on the All Regional team her junior year and also earned the St. Agnes Defensive Player Award her sophomore season.
Kelly Calandro Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter, Episcopal HS, Baton Rouge, La.
Kelsey Calandro comes to Millsaps out of Episcopal HS in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During her time in high school, she was the captain of her team both junior and senior year. Calandro was named All-District, All-District MVP, All-Metro, and the MVP of her team for the last two seasons. While continuously winning awards for her play, she also earned academic honors such as the honor roll in consecutive years.
Taylor Zeigler, Setter, Cabrini HS, New Orleans, La.
Taylor Zeigler is used to winning. The setter out of New Orleans, Louisiana is a two time undefeated state champion her junior and senior year and she never lost a district match in four years. She looks to bring her winning ways to this talented, up and coming Major squad. Zeigler was named All-District, All-Metro, and All-State three years in a row. Additionally, she was the Most Valuable Player on her team in 2009 and 2010 and the District MVP last season. Zeigler was named to the Louisiana Volleyball All-Star Team in 2010.
Caroline McKey Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist, Dunham HS, Baton Rouge, La.
The word athlete may come to mind when you hear Caroline McKey's name. McKey was a three sport athlete at Dunham High School. In addition to volleyball, she ran track and played tennis, earning All-District in both. On the court, McKey is a five year lettermen and was named All-District five years, All-Metro four years in a row, and All-State three years in a row. She also earned the honor Academic All-State her last two years. This past year, McKey was voted Most Outstanding Female Athlete by her school.
Payton Mansell- Outside Hitter/Right Side Hitter, Decatur, Ala., Austin HS
Austin High School's team captain the last year, Payton Mansell, comes to Jackson this fall. Mansell was named to Alabama's 6A All-Tournament Team her junior and senior year thanks to her excellent play. Mansell achieved the most assists on her team in 2010 season with 403 and also had the most aces with 88. Her team rewarded her with the 2010 Best Server Award.
The Millsaps volleyball team gets things kicked off on September 1st when they travel down the road to take on Tougaloo College. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.
