By Shannon Fagan/Cherokee County Herald
Cedar Bluff High School senior Audrianna Hargitt recently signed a volleyball scholarship with Gadsden State. She the first Cedar Bluff volleyball player to sign a college scholarship.
“As I look back and realize how I’ve grown as a volleyball player, I never thought this day would come,” Hargitt said. “Now that it has, I have so many emotions going.”
Last season, Hargitt led the Lady Tigers to a 30-19 record and the Class 1A North Regional Tournament in Huntsville.
She finsihed with 578 kills, 523 digs, 86 blocks, 73 aces and 32 assists at the middle hitter position.
As a junior, Hargitt helped Cedar Bluff earn its first berth in the Class 1A Elite Eight. She finished that season with 709 kills, 569 digs, 108 aces and 60 blocked shots as an outside hitter.
Hargitt was also chosen as the Cherokee County Most Valuable Player in 2011.
Gadsden State volleyball coach Angie Sanders expects Hargitt’s future to be a bright one. She first got to know Hargitt through club ball three years ago and has kept her eyes on her ever since.
“When I first saw Audrianna, I said ‘Whoa, that girl can jump,’ “Sanders said. ”She hits the ball well and very hard. When she gets with us, she’s going to do great things fast. She’s going to be a big asset to us. I feel like she’ll come right in and do very well.”
For Cedar Bluff coach Tiffany Ferguson, Hargitt’s signing gives her of sense a pride.
“When I came here, her hit was about as hard as a tip, but I knew she had a lot of potential. She’s that kind of person who’s going to work hard. That’s what’s gotten her here. This is her passion and what she likes to do. I’m sure she’ll go to Gadsden State and develop her skills even more.”
Hargitt is excited about her upcoming career at Gadsden State.
“I feel like I’m going to learn a lot from Mrs. Sanders,” Hargitt said. ”She’s going to help take me to the next level, especially coming from a 1A school. They have a good program and she’s a really good coach. She’s just like Coach Ferguson, so I already know what the atmosphere is going to be.”