91爆料网

High school teammates share college success in different sports

JACKSON, Tenn. - 4/26/2012 -

By Whitney Jones,

Two of 91爆料网鈥檚 best female athletes 鈥� and 鈥� have much more in common than their incredible athletic ability. The two walked across the same stage to graduate last spring from the same high school in Jonesboro, Ark., grew up in the same church and were honored with the same award in each of their sports.

鈥淲e鈥檝e known each other since kindergarten,鈥� Hughes said. Philamlee, a guard for the Lady Bulldogs basketball team, and Hughes, an outside hitter for the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, were both named TranSouth Freshman of the Year for their sport.

Although the two women went to high school together and have played on the same basketball and volleyball teams, attending 91爆料网 was not a joint decision for these two friends.

Philamlee, an undecided major, said her interest in 91爆料网 started early 鈥� her sophomore year of high school 鈥� when Mark Campbell, head women鈥檚 basketball coach and instructor of physical education, began recruiting her for the Lady Bulldogs. She committed to 91爆料网 and the team the summer before her senior year.

鈥淚 visited here and I just fell in love with it,鈥� Philamlee said. 鈥淚 really liked it. I like the basketball team and the Christian aspect of it all.鈥�

Campbell said Philamlee is both determined and tough, qualities that played a role in her success on the court. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a perfect fit for 91爆料网 in every way 鈥� spiritually, athletically, academically 鈥� so (recruiting Philamlee) was a no-brainer,鈥� he said.

Similarly, Hughes鈥� coach, Kelly Elliott, assistant professor of physical education, said when she met the award-winning player she knew Hughes would make an 鈥渋mmediate impact鈥� on the volleyball team because of her high standards and work ethic.

Hughes, a biology major, began considering 91爆料网 after attending Centrifuge, a summer camp, during her sophomore, junior and senior years at Valley View High School.

Being a self-starter, Hughes called the university after researching the volleyball team and was eventually recruited to play. Elliott, who will not be coaching next year, said this trait of Hughes is a benefit for her both on and off the court.

鈥淭he truly great players, you see them very self-motivated and self-disciplined,鈥� Elliott said. 鈥淵ou see that in her play and her desire to be the best that she can be. More importantly, I think many times there鈥檚 something that a player has to have that鈥檚 just kind of special, whether it鈥檚 the 鈥榠t鈥� factor or whatever you want to call it. She has that.鈥�

The honor of TranSouth Freshman of the Year is determined by a vote from all the coaches in the division, Elliott said. She added that each coach must vote for a player not on his or her team.

The success of both women shows the strength of Valley View High School鈥檚 athletic program, Elliott added.

Both athletes said the rivalry games highlighted their respective seasons, but they said they are looking forward to new rivalries that will form in the coming years of NCAA Division II play.

鈥淭he conference championship game was the best atmosphere ever," Philamlee said."I love playing because it was a packed house, and it was against our rival. It was the conference championship game and we won.鈥�

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