By Rubin E. Grant
Paris Morris couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and her facial expression depicted her disbelief.
When she was a freshman on Spain Park’s junior varsity volleyball team, Jaguars varsity coach Kellye Bowen told Morris she was going to be “a very big part of the program.”
“She just looked at me,” Bowen said, recalling the conversation.
“I was shocked,” Morris said. “I wasn’t very confident in myself. I didn’t believe her. I was just a freshman and I wondered, how could I be a big part of the program.”
Bowen’s declaration has proven to be prophetic, Morris’ initial reaction notwithstanding.
Now, a senior, the 5-foot-9-inch Morris has developed into a dominating player for the Jags. This season, her first playing outside hitter, she leads Spain Park with 340 kills to go along with 82 digs and 48 aces.
In a tight four-set loss against Hoover last week, Morris recorded 21 kills, eight digs and two aces.
Two weeks ago, she had 70 kills, 15 aces, seven blocks and 11 digs as the Jags went 8-1 for the week and finished as runners-up to Mountain Brook in Spain Park’s HeffStrong Tournament.
It wasn’t until late in her sophomore season that Morris discovered she could fulfill Bowen’s prophecy.
“We were playing Oak Mountain in the area tournament and I was blocking,” Morris said. “That’s when I realized I was actually needed on this team.
“It was a weird feeling, so I gave myself a little pep talk and told myself they needed me on this team.”
Morris has steadily progressed each season while blossoming into a force to be reckoned with.
“Her sophomore year was a transition year,” Bowen said, “and junior year she exploded throughout the season.
“We moved her outside this season from middle and she’s been phenomenal. She’s not tall, but she’s explosive. She can move around the block or jump over it, and then put the ball down.
“I can’t be more proud of how she has come into her senior year and become dominant. You can tell it when she walks on the floor, her confidence level and athletic ability. Some things you can’t coach. She’s definitely a big threat you can’t overlook.”
Morris did not grow up playing volleyball. She didn’t start playing until she was in the eighth grade. Now, she plays year-round, competing for NASA South Volleyball Club when Spain Park’s season ends.
Until this season with the Jags, Morris had been a middle hitter, but she has made a seamless transition to the outside.
“It’s a challenge,” she said. “Sometimes I do miss middle, but I like outside. I think I’ve done well my first year playing outside.”
Morris likely will move back to the middle in college. She committed to the University of Alabama Huntsville during the summer.
“They recruited me as a middle,” she said. “They saw me at a Hoover camp and then in a club tournament. They invited me to come for a visit and I loved the campus and I loved the girls on the team, so I committed.”
Team Player
Morris is the consummate team player. It’s what she enjoys most about volleyball.
“I like that volleyball is a team sport and it takes more than one person to be successful,” she said.
Morris is one of six seniors on the Jags’ team this season, joining Lexie Fowler, Kendall Irwin, Olivia Stark, Jessica Veal and Alex Wright.
“This is the best group of seniors we’ve had,” Morris said. “We’re the closest we’ve ever been. We talk every day, sometimes in group chats. We talk about volleyball, dances, social events, some of everything.
“We have great chemistry. I look forward to playing with them every day.”
The Jags entered this week with a 26-12 overall record and a 4-1 mark in Class 7A, Area 6. They played host to area foe Hewitt-Trussville on Tuesday, which was “Senior Night,” and will host Mountain Brook at 6 p.m. Thursday in another area game.
Morris hopes team chemistry will propel Spain Park to its first state tournament appearance in school history.
“I think we’re very capable,” Morris said. “It’s a matter of being consistent and playing well in the big moments.”