Shalitha Swain ranks third in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with 317 kills. Brian Schoenhals
The Lady Tornadoes’ lone senior said she has mixed feelings going into Senior Night.
“I am excited,” Swain said. “I hope I can lead the team to a victory. It is bittersweet, this is going to be my final game here on the court, but I am sure they are going to hold it down for me next year.”
Swain said she is going to miss playing in front of the spirited crowd that comes out to support the Lady Tornadoes every home game.
“I am going to miss it, but I am so ready to graduate,” Swain said. “This is my fourth year; I want my degree in my hand. I love our home crowd. They all know your name and they are not rooting against you like the visitors or talk about you. The home crowd wants every ball to come to you and they will cheer your name the whole time. It doesn’t have to be anything great; as I long as I jump in the air they are going to cheer for me.”
TC head coach Ron Burt said that his captain has meant a lot to him in his first season at helm.
“She has been everything that a coach can ask for,” Burt said. “When I need something done I can go to her and know that it is going to get done. I have full confidence in her and what ever happens after this year I know she is going to do well at it.”
This season the senior from Piedmont has recorded some impressive numbers. Swain is ranked second in the Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference in hitting percentage (0.373) and third in the conference in kills with 317.
Swain’s high-flying attack has resulted in many highlight worthy kills.
“It is so aggressive,” Swain said. “If I could aim to hit someone in the head every single time I would. It is not that easy and sometimes they move. I don’t like when they move. I like when they get hit, that’s nice.”
Burt expects his team to play with a lot of energy when they take the court tonight against Tennessee-Temple.
“I expect them to come out with full force right off the bat,” Burt said. “It is Senior Night and it is homecoming week. We are going to have a crowd that is going to be loud. It is going to be Talladega volleyball all night long, so I think we are going to do pretty well.”
