Ridge Point Fall 2023 Volleyball

\\ By Roger Smith A HIGHER CALL FOR RIDGE POINT’S NEW HALL NET Immortality

the present, inspiring the future.” “It’s an amazing, annual opportunity to show what Ridge Point volleyball players have done and what they continue to do,” said HOF co-director Wade Smith, dad of current Panther junior and Rice University Commit Aaliyah Smith and her older sister Arissa (Current Freshman Mississippi State University Volley Dawg), who graduated in 2023. “The amount of (RP grads) who have gone on to play volleyball at the next level is unprecedented. It’s unmatched. And after their volleyball careers end, they

The idea of the RPVHOF, conceived in 2022 and officially born during the inaugural inductees’ celebration May 20, honors the best of the best among the young women who have performed spectacularly wearing Panthers’ purple – but it’s much more than that. Ridge Point’s present and past volleyball parents, dedicated volunteers and media supporters were determined to turn it into a greater blessing. The underlying foundation of Ridge Point HS volleyball’s “Phenomenal Panthers Hall of Fame” is this theme: “Honoring the past, supporting

fame? It would be the finest bedroom or suite in a fine, well-appointed home. It would definitely be on the top floor, and not everyone would be worthy of staying there, due to the requisite high standards of excellence. Some professional sports halls of fame require exemplary character and community contributions in addition to great performance, and some HOFs don’t consider those things. The new Ridge Point Volleyball Hall of Fame considers both in the meticulous process of inducting a small, select group of Panther alumna each year.

WHEN HALLS OF FAME ARE DISCUSSED, WHATEVER PURSUIT THEY ARE ESTABLISHED TO HONOR, YOU’RE LIKELY TO HEAR TWO THINGS: ONE OR MORE FORMS OF THE VERB “IMMORTALIZE;” AND A VERY SERIOUS TONE AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO DECIDE WHO’S WORTHY OF GETTING IN. Passionate and even contentious debate often ensues, because the induction of hall of famers isn’t to be taken lightly. Numerous college coaches and athletic directors metaphorically refer to their programs as the “front porch” of the institution. So, what’s the metaphor for a hall of

FALL 2023 • AT THE NET 13