Dexter, Missouri - Dexter High School senior Brittany Brown signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, Arkansas and will have the opportunity to rejoin her sister Ashley Brown on the court next season.
"I am very excited," stated Brown. "It is going to be more challenging, just like transitioning from middle school to high school volleyball, It is just another step."
Brittany's sister Ashley is currently a setter in volleyball at Crowley's Ridge. Head volleyball coach Barry Wheeler is excited to land both girls on his team.
"Brittany is a great player and I am very excited to have her come and play for us," Wheeler said. "With her sister being there it helped quite a bit getting her to come here. She will have a shot to start right off the bat as a defensive specialist for us. We are banking on her being able to play right away. She can get to a lot of balls that kids cannot get to and it is fun watching her."
Brittany has played the position of libero most of her high school career under the leadership of Coach Carmen Morgan. She has also enjoyed a fair share of success her senior year winning the SCAA Tournament and SCAA regular season titles for a third straight year. She was also selected SCAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
"I am really excited for her and the program," stated Dexter head volleyball coach Carmen Morgan. "Brittany is a tenacious player. She gives effort every day, even in practice games. She is a go-getter that never complains. She is the kind of player you love to coach."
"Defense is a game within a game," continued Morgan. "It is a state of mind. Brittany has that defensive state of mind. She will step in there and never let a ball get past her. She is quick and agile."
Morgan said that Brittany displayed her defensive abilities time after time in a drill called 21 in their regular volleyball practices. "We have a drill that we do called 21 where you have to touch 21 balls thrown/rolled to you," said Morgan. "The balls are rolled everywhere fast and slow. It is all about foot speed and they have to touch them before the balls roll out of bounds. Brittany would always go last and she would always get every ball. She would touch every one without me throwing an extra ball and she would get every ball."
Brittany said her most memorable moment on the volleyball court was winning a District Title in 2014. "Now that was really cool!"
Crowley's Ridge College competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association in women's basketball, volleyball, and softball. It is a four year college.
Wheeler is enter his first season as head volleyball coach at Crowley's Ridge. he served as head coach at Houston High School before coming to CRC.
"I am bringing in 12 freshmen with three returning players off of last season's squad. These 15 players will be the most they have ever had on a team and I was able to bring in five players from the area in Missouri where I came from," stated Wheeler.
"They only had 7 players last year, but managed to qualify for regionals and that is a pretty big deal with only seven kids."
Brittany said she is unsure about a major, but is considering a degree in the medical field, perhaps nursing like her mom.
"I may want to do something with nursing, maybe," Brown said. "My mom is a nurse and Ashley is wanting to be a nurse, maybe I will follow in their footsteps."
Shown in the photo are seated from left to right: Regina Brown, Brittany Brown, and Johnny Brown. Standing from left to right are Barry Wheeler, Joyce Kitchens, Ashley Brown, Bill Kitchens, and Carmen Morgan.
