Hixson High School's Paige Lawson, shown in a match from last season, has signed to play volleyball next season at Bryan College. Lawson was the District 6-AA Most Valuable Player, as well as earning honors as All Region this past year. As a team captain she led Hixson to the state tournament last season.
photo by Dennis Norwood/File
Paige Lawson has been playing volleyball for the past nine years and she’ll be playing for the next four on the next level.
Lawson, a four-year starter for the Hixson Wildcats who will graduate in the spring, will be playing for Bryan College after signing scholarship papers Tuesday at noon in the Hixson High School library.
Lawson has been the team leader for the Wildcats for several years and was captain this year as Hixson had a 38-15 record, won the district and regional tournaments and advanced to the state tournament in Murfreesboro after winning a sectional match for the first time.
It was a memorable year for coach Janet Tate and her girls and Lawson was one of the main reasons as she finished the season with 530 kills, 617 digs, 82 aces, 71 blocks and 17 assists.
Lawson had the ability to play every position on the court, but she was best up front as she was a powerful hitter with unique accuracy. She was one of five seniors and earned MVP honors in District 6-AA while also being named All-Region.
She’s been a Wildcat for the last four years, but will now be a Lion for the next four as Bryan is an NAIA school that plays in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Lions were conference champs with a 25-13 record last season before finishing third in their conference tournament.
Quite a large group of family, friends and teammates gathered in the library for Tuesday’s big event and Hixson athletic director Brian Bray got the celebration moving.
“This is a special day for Paige Lawson and it’s a special day for Hixson High School. It’s always nice when you get to see one of your own move on to the next level.
We’re all really proud of Paige for what she’s done here at Hixson and wish her the best in her career at Bryan,” Bray said.
Lawson is the youngest daughter of Jena and Jeff Lawson and the younger sister of Ashley. Paige got to spend time at Bryan with faculty members and members of the Bryan volleyball team. It was an easy decision for her to make.
“It’s a great environment and just feels like home away from home,” Paige expressed after a bunch of photos were taken.
“I really feel like God has a great plan for my life and this is just the next step, but Bryan seems like the right fit for me. I’m also glad that my family and friends will be close enough to come watch me play, but I’m planning to major in secondary education with hopes of being a teacher and coach one day. I’d really like to work in special education,” she added.
Janet Tate has been coaching volleyball for a long time and she’s had the honor of coaching a bunch of really outstanding players, but Lawson may be at the top of that list.
“I knew she would be special when she was in middle school, but we went to the state for the first time and Paige was one of the main reasons why we had such an outstanding season,” Tate said.
“She has the ability to put this team on her back and carry them, but I’m really happy that her dream of playing at the next level is coming true. Paige has a great work ethic. I never had to tell her what to do as she was already doing it, but her preparation started long before the season and she’s put herself in position to be where she is today.
“Paige is a great person and an outstanding volleyball player. She’s just a really fine young lady. She been a starter for us for the past four years and quite possibly the best volleyball player I’ve ever coached. It will be a long time before anyone repeats the numbers she’s put up,” Tate added.
For the record, Lawson has the school record with 1,527 kills and 190 blocks. She also recorded 1,321 digs and 227 aces during those four years.
Jessica Day is the Bryan volleyball coach and she was present for Tuesday’s ceremony. She was all smiles when asked about her latest acquisition.
“We’re really excited to get her as she’s a phenomenal athlete and just a great person. We had a pretty good team last season and we have some outstanding players coming back, but Paige will definitely be competing for a starting spot next fall,” Day expressed.
Robert Catlett has been an assistant coach at Hixson for a number of years. He too recognized the talent that Lawson possessed long before she became a Wildcat.
“She’s just a great kid with outstanding character and has worked really hard since she got here. We knew she would be good back in middle school, but she’s the kind of person you can build a team around.
“She’s one of the best volleyball players I’ve ever coached and probably the best that’s ever played for Hixson,” Catlett praised.
In addition to volleyball, Paige has been actively involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a good student with a 3.2 grade point average. She says that she enjoys lifting weights, hiking, riding bikes and anything that’s outside.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)