Photo: DeSoto Central volleyball signees (seated from left) Reese McIntosh, Zion Rucker, Emma Story, and Sydney Tague, are joined by coaches Margaret Falatko and John Tague. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Some high school athletes have begun making early commitments to college programs official by signing scholarship offers or national letters of intent.
Such was the case late Wednesday afternoon at DeSoto Central, where four members of this fall’s Lady Jags volleyball team signed to play next fall at the next level.
The group included Reese McIntosh to Northwest Mississippi, Emma Story of Northeast Mississippi, Sydney Tague to Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Zion Rucker, who is heading to Miles College, an NCAA Division II school located outside Birmingham, in Fairfield, Alabama.
“These four players have just been tremendous leaders and athletes on and off the court for the last four years,” said coach Margaret Falatko. “Reese and Emma have both started since their freshman year. Zion and Sydney have started since sophomore year. So they’ve all contributed to the program and to the legacy.”
From left, Reese McIntosh, Zion Rucker, Emma Story and Sydney Tague sign their letters of intent.
In fashioning a 24-15 overall record, 9-3 in Region 1-7A, the group were among the team’s stat leaders.
McIntosh in particular was dominating, especially at the net. She finished the season with 270 kills, or an average of 2.5 kills a set. Not far behind were Rucker with 205 kills for an average of 1.9 kills, and Story at 2 kills a set for a total of 184.
Tague excelled at the service, finishing with 81 aces for the season with McIntosh next with 61. McIntosh led the Lady Jags in digs with 277 with Tague third in the category with 254. Tague also was the team leader with 865 assists.
DeSoto Central reached the second round of the 7A playoffs this season before Germantown (Madison) eliminated the Lady Jags in the second round.
“They do a lot for the program and for the younger girls in the program,” Falatko said. “So it’s going to be hard to see them go. It’s been fun getting to know them over the last four years and just watching them grow and develop as women and student athletes.”
The group received several accolades and set records during their careers:
