For any athlete, playing their sport at the next level is a dream come true, but only a few are able to make that goal come to fruition. It takes hard work, determination, and countless hours of practice. Senior Mikaylah Hutton is no stranger to this mindset. This November, she verbally committed to play volleyball at Southern Wesleyan University.
Hutton began her volleyball career at William Ellis Middle School, where she was pushed to try out for the team going into her sixth-grade year. Although she had little experience with the sport, she displayed her exceptional abilities on the court, making the team. This solidified her role as a leader throughout middle school. Looking for a challenge, Hutton tried out for Twin City Volleyball Academy. Loving the competitive atmosphere of club volleyball, she remained with the organization until eleventh grade.
The jump from middle school to high school volleyball is something that takes players a while to get adjusted to. After making the JV team her freshman year, Hutton immediately adapted to the speed of the game, again establishing herself as a standout player. Going into the next season, Hutton was the only sophomore to make the varsity team. This is where she became a key player for head coach Amber Brandon. Hutton took on the role as an outside hitter, where she would dominate the offense by getting many kills and blocks every game.
“I have always had a passion for playing sports,” Hutton reflects, “ and when I started playing volleyball, I immediately fell in love with it. I am surrounded by a great community who have supported me through my volleyball journey. Coach B has helped me overcome so many obstacles to improve my athletic ability, and I am so beyond thankful for her help. I would also like to thank my teammates, family, and friends for being so supportive throughout my volleyball career.”
When asked how Brandon has assisted her in her path to becoming a collegiate athlete, Hutton states, “Coach B has greatly helped me along my journey. She would spend extra time with me in the gym working on my skills, giving me the ability to improve and work hard while still enjoying the game. I would not be the player I am without having an amazing coaching staff and great teammates who kept me going when things got tough.”
Hutton adds, “I am very honored to say that I am committed to Southern Wesleyan University to continue my academic and athletic career. I am thankful for my support during this process, and I am eager to continue playing the sport I love so dearly. Volleyball is full of ups and downs, but if you have the passion for it, you can overcome anything if you just go for it.”
We all congratulate Mikaylah Hutton on her commitment and look forward to the amazing things that she will accomplish!
