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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Maplesville High School volleyball standout Kennedy Cleckley signed an athletic scholarship to Wallace Community College Selma to continue her career at the next level. Cleckley signed in front of friends, family and teammates inside Maplesville High School’s auditorium.

Cleckley grew up with her sisters playing volleyball, and the sports rubbed off on her quickly and she wanted to play as well. When Cleckley got to the seventh grade she started playing volleyball, and now has never looked back.

“(Playing volleyball) was one of the first things I wanted to do when I got to high school, and I ended up loving it,” Cleckley said.

After spending three years at Thorsby High School, Cleckley went to Maplesville and continued the sport while also dedicating some time to the Peach City Volleyball program. The senior also played softball, but last year she decided to focus all of her time on volleyball to try to achieve her goal of playing at the next level. The change did wonders, and now has paid off.

“I wanted to take any chance I could to play (college volleyball),” Cleckley said.

Cleckley was the team captain for Maplesville last season, and she brings leadership in both a vocal and a leading by example way.  She also made sure she brought along the younger players in the program throughout practices and games — remaining dedicated to the Red Devils’ program until the very end.

“I love to encourage my teammates … And I always try to help the younger kids because I know how it feels to be left behind,” Cleckley said. “I always try to help them because they are like my little babies. I will carry a lot of the leadership and encouragement assets that this program and my teammates have given me (to Selma).”

The senior hopes to come out of her shell more at Wallace Selma and put herself out there while improving as a player and teammate — trying to be better all-around once she gets on campus.