After helping the Newton County Lady Cougar Volleyball team to a 32-5-1 season and an appearance in the 4A Semifinals, Adilyn Vaughn was named the C-Spire 4A Miss Volleyball by the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
The junior outside hitter for the Lady Cougars had a huge season in 2024 with 412 kills, 227 digs, 37 blocks and 41 aces in 99 sets played.
Although she knew she was nominated for the honor, Vaughn said she had doubts that she’d win it.
“Our season started out pretty rocky and my stats were not as good as they were last year,” Vaughn said. “So, when I was told I was named Miss Volleyball, I was definitely in a lot of shock, as well as excited to see what I was going to get from it.”
In only her third year of playing the sport, Vaughn’s vigorous play is the sport that she’s grown to love, and her teammates.
“I love how the sport is action-packed; there’s never a dull moment. It’s always go, go, go,” said Vaughn. “And being with the girls and making, basically, a new family. This year’s group are so close. We’re all like sisters and I think that helped us push through and get as far as we did.”
Newton County Volleyball Head Coach Matthew Beasley said he has a team full of girls just like Vaughn, adding that it tugs at his “Dad Heart” to see her get rewarded after putting so much hard work in the off-season.
“She’s got one of the best swings in the gym and her work ethic is unfathomable. She took a lot of private lessons and is very hard on herself,” Beasley remarked. “We fell short of the state championship, but seeing her hard work pay off and her look back on this season and say ‘Hey, I was recognized for all my hard work’ makes me really happy. Volleyball in this area is growing and our girls are getting recognized for it.”
Vaughn had some equally glowing words for her coach, as well, saying his dedication to coaching the sport and guiding she and her teammates to be their best is a large part of their success.
“He’s very motivation and cares about us a lot and he shows it,” said Vaughn. “He’s been coaching volleyball for as long as I’ve played it and he definitely put in the time and effort to learn this sport and get us to where we are today.”
Vaughn and other Miss Volleyball winners were recognized during the MHSAA Volleyball State Championships in Clinton, where they were honored with an awards luncheon.
In addition to being name 2024 4A Miss Volleyball, Vaughn was recently chosen to play for the North Team Team in the Mississippi Association of Coaches 2025 All-Star Volleyball Game in Brandon on July 9, 2025. Vaughn and her All-Star teammates will be coached by Coach Beasley, who was also chosen as one of the coaches for the North Team.
