Madison County Volleyball League, for boys and girls ages 6-13, wraps 1st season

MARSHALL - Youths of Madison County have more recreational opportunities available to them than ever before, and this spring is no different, as a co-ed youth volleyball league was formed for its first season.

Last month, the county's first-ever youth recreational volleyball league wrapped its eight-week season.

The inaugural season of the Madison County Volleyball League saw more than 50 local boys and girls ages 6-13 participate in the action. The season ran from March 5 until April 30 at Madison High School.

The organization is led by Rhesa Edwards and Heather Mitchell.

Edwards has more 30 years of volleyball experience including more than 20 years of coaching, and served as the former executive director of Biltmore Volleyball Academy in Asheville. Edwards currently serves as the assistant varsity volleyball coach at Madison High School.

According to Edwards, 53 local youths participated in the Madison County Volleyball League.

“The ultimate goal of this league is to lay down a foundation and instill a love and appreciation for the game," Edwards said. "These basic fundamentals will then be carried into middle school and high school volleyball."

Mitchell currently serves as the Madison High junior varsity volleyball coach and has many years of playing experience. Mitchell is also a second grade teacher at Mars Hill Elementary School.

Edwards said the turnout for the first-ever league was higher than expected, which she was encouraged by.

"When Heather and I first started planning and getting the word out, we hoped to have at least 20 kids sign up, so when we had 53 kids sign up, it was amazing and also a bit overwhelming. We had to scramble to figure how to allow all the kids to participate, we ended up adding a third hour. It was great to see so much excitement for volleyball in Madison County.“

The inaugural league could help lay the groundwork for a long-lasting, successful volleyball program at the junior varsity and varsity levels in the future.

But for now, Edwards and Mitchell are happy to have started a youth league from the ground up.

"I am excited that we were able to offer this amazing opportunity to so many youths in our county," Mitchell said. "I’ve always wanted to build our volleyball program and share the love I have for the game with other children. I’m grateful to be a small part of the future of Madison volleyball."

Madison County Volleyball League is an educational beginner league where kids can learn the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun environment with experienced coaches. The league is for boys and girls ages 6-13.

For more info visit out Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559071393564.

Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for nearly three years, including earning a first-place award in beat reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6071 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.