Sydney Stuart is working to make a name for volleyball at Warren Central.

Stuart was recently selected to play in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Game — a first for the school. Volleyball has only been a sport at Warren Central for six years.

The all-star game will be played on July 19, 2017 at Millsaps College.

Stuart only started playing two years ago as a freshman and now, in her junior year, is setting all the records. She can play any position, but specializes in front row outside.

“I think one of the biggest things for Syd is she is such a versatile player. She led our team in attacking and kills, and at the same time she led our team in digs,” Warren Central volleyball coach Matt Gullett said. “Attacking and kills, that’s our biggest offensive category, and then digs is our biggest defensive category.”

Overall Stuart led the team in attacks with 450. Out of those, 142 were point-scoring kills.

She served 48 aces and had 26 blocks for points, and led the defense with 242 digs.

“That means she kept the other team from scoring 242 times. She prevented as many points as she scored, which is key,” Gullett said.

Stuart was shocked by her stats.

“I was surprised to hear that,” she said.

There are 24 players in Mississippi who made the All-Star teams — 12 from the North and 12 from the South. The game features players heading into their senior seasons.

“It puts her in a very elite group,” Gullett said.

Stuart will play on the North team coached by Clinton High School’s Melissa Denson. Denson is also the coach for the travel team Stuart plays on in Jackson.

The All-Star Game is in July at the state coaching clinic at Millsaps College. The team will practice for a day on campus before the game.

“The girls actually help participate in the coaches’ meeting,” Gullett said. “This past year was the coach from Mississippi State. He actually worked with some of the girls, and they demonstrated some drills he taught them.”

Gullett said the whole team might travel to Jackson to attend the game since they will be in the middle of summer practice. The team attended the game two years ago when Stuart was a freshman.

“It’s crazy. I would not have thought I would be on the all-star team that day,” she said.

Stuart knew Gullett had submitted her name for consideration for the all-star game this year, and hoped she would make the cut. But when he called her to tell her she was chosen, she couldn’t believe it.

“I wasn’t even thinking about it at the time. It was a complete surprise,” she said. “It was just so exciting because it’s such a great honor to do it. To be the first one at Warren Central in volleyball, it’s pretty cool.”

Gullett is excited for his player and very proud of all she has accomplished.

“She’s put a ton of work in. Sydney’s put a lot of hard work in the last two seasons and throughout the select season as well. Her game has come a long way. I think it’s a great reward for all the hard work she’s put in,” he said.

Gullett is also happy for his team and how far they have come over the short time they have been in existence. He feels Stuart’s honor recognizes the entire Warren Central program and is a reflection on the team.

The Lady Vikes finished 12-11 this season for the first winning record in the program’s history. They also reached the playoffs for the second straight year.

“I was excited for the program. The way I look at it is, Sydney is a great player and she is also highlighted by the girls who are around her, who have helped her and play with her on a daily basis. It goes to show our program is going places,” Gullett said.

This was the first year Warren Central has had a seventh- and eighth-grade team, which is why Stuart didn’t play volleyball until she was a freshman. Stuart wishes she had the opportunity to play when she was younger, but fortunately didn’t need the extra experience.

“Sydney is out there with three years experience probably playing with girls with five and six years experience,” Gullett said.