t is out with the old and in with the new as Kosciusko follows a trend in Mississippi to replace slow-pitch softball with volleyball as a fall sport for girls.
Kosciusko athletic director Macy Wilbanks said interest among students for slow-pitch had waned and there was enthusiasm for volleyball. “We felt it (volleyball) was a better fit for our kids. Also it is a sport that provides scholarships at the next level whereas slow-pitch does not.”
The school did not have to go far to find a coach. Lauren Peresich, who played volleyball in high school, has been a member of the faculty and coaching staff for two years.
“When we decided to transition to volleyball, she expressed an interest,” Wilbanks said. “She was the only person on our staff with any volleyball experience.”
Peresich played volleyball at Southaven, which has one of the strongest programs in the state. “I just love volleyball,” she said. “I have always loved it and I wanted to be a coach.”
Allison Burchyett, her coach at Southaven and one of the state's most successful volleyball coaches, had a major influence on Peresich. “I was very fortunate to have her as a coach.”
After graduating from Mississippi State in 2017 with a major in kinesiology, Peresich joined the Kosciusko faculty as a history teacher and assistant basketball coach. In her second year, she became the tennis coach. She will continue to coach tennis, but not basketball.
Kosciusko conducted tryouts for the volleyball team with about 130 girls from grades 6 to 12, including many of the players from slow pitch softball. Peresich had to cut that number down to 30.
“I was looking for athletic ability,” she said. “There were a lot of hoops they had to jump through because I had so many kids. I think I have a pretty solid team.”
She plans to divide the players into varsity and junior varsity teams.
Team leaders will include three seniors – Josie Meggs, Laken Milner and Tamleeah Gladney. Peresich described Meggs, a fast-pitch softball standout, as a “Super athlete. She can do pretty much anything.” Milner is also a softball player.
Kosciusko will compete in Region 4-4A with Lanier, Yazoo City and Louisville. Lanier was the most successful team last year with an 11-6 record.
Because of an increase in schools playing volleyball, the Mississippi High School Activities Association has gone from there to four classes for the sport.
