By Myra Bean

The final steps of bring volleyball back to South Panola has been taken.

Haylee Lipe has been hired as the new volleyball coach.

Volleyball was last played at South Panola during the 2009 campaign. Earlier this year, it was decided to bring the sport back.

Lipe, who is the ICT II instructor (computer/graphic design) at Batesville Jr. High, grew up in New Albany and went to West Union High School. She has been at Batesville Jr. High for five years.

At West Union, she played fastpitch softball, basketball and ran track. West Union did not offer volleyball, but she has been around the sport all her life. Her cousins played in high school and college and she followed them.

“I am all about the sports,” she said.

Lipe decided to apply for the coach’s position because some girls who will tryout Tuesday asked her to coach.

“There is lots of interest in the sport,” Lipe said. “I want it to be available for them because if a teacher does not sponsor, coach or advise, they can’t be in it.”

Regardless of her lack of coaching experience, Lipe has set her boundaries for the players. She expects an attitude of wanting to learn the game the correct way. She expects the players to work hard, endure, keep their grades up, have no discipline problems and be leaders.

“They will know they represent me and their team,” Lipe said.

Some issues about how volleyball will be classified is still in the works. School officials do not know if they will be able to return to the district or have to play as an independent team even though they once played in the district.

“I would like to see us go in district, but don’t know if they will allow it,” she said.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Lipe sponsors TSA, Robotics Coach, BETA and is the website coordinator for the school.

She is married to Jeremy Lipe, the son of Rev. Lipe and Melinda Hill Lipe, whose parents once owned Hill Barbecue.

They have a dog, Magnum.

“He runs the household,” she said.