Legacy Locked: Lake Cormorant Volleyball Trio Signs with Northwest

Photo: From left, Sofia Gonzalez, Ma’Kayla Hill, and Payton Davis complete their commitment for volleyball at Northwest Mississippi Community College next season. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

LAKE CORMORANT, Miss. – Three pillars of a high school volleyball dynasty are sticking together.

Fresh off winning their fourth consecutive MHSAA 6A state championship, Lake Cormorant High School seniors Sofia Gonzalez, Ma’Kayla Hill, and Payton Davis signed their National Letters of Intent on Thursday to play collegiate volleyball for Northwest Mississippi Community College.

The trio helped establish a “Four-Peat” legacy at Lake Cormorant, combining for over 1,100 kills, 1,000 digs, and 600 assists in their senior season alone.

At a signing ceremony celebrating their careers, Lake Cormorant head coach Christina Morgan said the day represented far more than just “signing a piece of paper.”

“These girls have worked hard for many, many years, and I think that’s what today represents,” Morgan said. “Is all the hard work, the long hours, the early mornings, the late nights, the sweat, the sacrifice, all the things that they’ve done.”

The signees include Sofia Gonzalez, the state’s most decorated player. The senior outside hitter is a three-time C Spire 6A Miss Volleyball recipient and the school’s all-time kills leader. In 2025, she amassed 534 kills, 554 digs, and 93 service aces.

Joining her is Ma’Kayla Hill, a dominant offensive force at the outside and middle hitter positions. Hill was a critical scoring threat, finishing the season with 371 kills, a .234 hitting percentage, and 70 aces.

Rounding out the group is Payton Davis, the team’s versatile setter and right-side hitter. Davis stepped up to lead the offense, recording 642 assists while also contributing 241 kills and 257 digs.

Morgan praised the parents for laying a foundation of support and said the three signees have left an undeniable mark on the program.

“These young ladies have represented Lake Cormorant volleyball, with heart, with pride, with sweat and sacrifice,” Morgan said. “They really just built a legacy here, and it’s something to be very proud of. Northwest is gaining three incredible athletes, and we couldn’t be more excited for them.”

The decision for the trio to sign together aligns with the team’s theme for the year: “staying connected.”

“I think that speaks a lot to the relationships that they built and that they want to stay together,” Morgan added. “They’re joining three more of our players over there… I don’t think that happens by accident. I think this speaks to their relationships and what it means to be a Lake Cormorant Gator here at this program.”

Morgan also recognized the contributions of the Memphis Volleyball Academy, where all three athletes played, for its role in their development.

“The Memphis Volleyball Academy is a high-level training facility, and this has done nothing but build their confidence, build their skills, and just set them up for the success that they’ve had,” Morgan said.

Also Friday, the trio were joined by teammate Emily Huerta as among those players selected for the Mississippi coaches 6A All-State team.