Sunday Sports Brunch: Briarcrest volleyball standout Alyiah Wells continues to stockpile awards
The opportunity to pile up the postseason volleyball honors continues for Briarcrest senior Alyiah Wells.
Prior to the arrival of 2019, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker was recognized as an Under Armour Second Team All-American and was on the ALL-USA Girls Volleyball Second Team, a selection in conjunction with USA TODAY High School Sports.
On Tuesday, Wells became the first Saint in school history to be chosen Gatorade Tennessee Volleyball Player of the Year.
“It meant the world to me,” Wells said. “After my whole high school career, it felt like all my hard work finally paid off. I feel like I was able to have something to prove how Briarcrest developed me as an athlete with volleyball – all the way to the end.”
For 34 years, Gatorade has been dishing out accolades to the nation’s top high school student-athletes. According to a press release, the award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Wells, who is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, exhibited her skills by registering 545 kills, 315 digs, 116 blocks and 50 aces during a season where Briarcrest (40-2) went onto win the TSSAA Division II-AA state championship.
“I think, coaching, especially at the high school level, you might get a player like Alyiah once in your career,” said Briarcrest coach Carrie Yerty, “and I’m so pleased and blessed to have the opportunity. It’s been just unbelievable to see her grow and develop as a leader. We’ve been talking about leadership for three years with Alyiah. It’s one thing to be a great athlete and to be recognized for her athletic talent, but it’s a whole different ballgame when you can be recognized by your peers and your coaching staff as a leader.”
In the classroom, Wells possesses a weighted 4.28 GPA. She’ll play this fall at the University of Alabama and plans to major in broadcast journalism.
“I’m ready to go in and do whatever I have to do to be able to start my freshman year,” she said. “Whether that’s putting on more muscle or working on my skills, I want to have certain qualities that will set me apart from some of the older girls that might be there. Hopefully, it will go in my favor.”
Added Yerty: “Alyiah was certainly the whole package. She will leave Briarcrest volleyball as the most decorated player in school history, and that will be there forever. To me, I don’t think she’s even going to fully understand that until maybe one day when she sends her baby back to Briarcrest. And they can stand by Alyiah’s picture and say, ‘That’s my mama.’ ”
Hudson-Marks aims for World Cup spot
Defender Chanel Hudson-Marks, who recently completed her senior season as a member of the University of Memphis women’s soccer team, has received a chance to potentially compete in the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.
Hudson-Marks, the daughter of Jamaican-born parents, was notified several weeks ago about her invitation to join Jamaica’s National Team camp in St. Ann.
“This is such an incredible honor and I can’t think of a better way to go out and represent my country,” she said in a release. “I’m excited. It’s a huge opportunity.”
Hudson-Marks played in all 21 matches for the Tigers this past fall. She started the last 17 in a row and was selected as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player in the 2018 American Athletic Conference tournament. She’s previously trained with Jamaica’s U17 and U20 squads.
Maholm joins impressive MSHOF lineup
Former Germantown High School and Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Maholm will be among the speakers at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame “Hot Stove” winter baseball banquet Jan. 24 in Jackson.
Maholm won 77 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. After attending Mississippi State University, he was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in the 2003 MLB Draft.
The event is also scheduled to feature former Memphis Redbirds manager Chris Maloney, Jay Powell, Hunter Renfroe and Roy Oswalt, a 2019 Hall of Fame inductee. Currently, Maloney is the manager for the Double-A Mississippi Braves, while Renfroe is an outfielder for the San Diego Padres. Powell, a 2017 inductee, pitched for Florida, Houston, Colorado, Texas and Atlanta. For more details, visit: msfame.com.
Robertson achieves hoops history at UT Martin
In a 74-65 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Austin Peay on Jan. 12, former White Station High standout Emanye Robertson became the 15th player in UT Martin school history to join the 1,000-point club.
Robertson scored 17 points to give her 1,002 for her career. She also contributed five assists for the Skyhawks, who took a 12-4 record and a four-game winning streak into this weekend’s contest at Morehead State.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com.