Montevallo welcomed a new face on the volleyball court this year, with the hiring of Melissa Baswell.

“Montevallo High is a great small community that has opportunities for the students that big schools cannot offer and everyone one knows everyone,” Baswell said.

Baswell comes to Montevallo from Helena High school where she taught special education.  She previously coached girls’ basketball and volleyball at Oak Grove and Thompson.

Baswell played volleyball all four years of high school and four years in college at Falkner University and Huntington College as a libero.

With seven seniors on this year’s volleyball team.  Baswell has high expectations for the girls.

“While we are an experienced team with a great deal of potential, we still have much growth in many areas on and off the court,” Baswell said,  “but when we establish that growth we will be unstoppable.”

Currently the Lady Dogs are 4-4 in regular play.

“Our record is misleading because we played our toughest competition during the first few games,” senior Georgia Hughes said.  “If we continue to get better each game, I feel like we can make it to the Elite Eight.”

Baswell also shares this goal.

“We are committed  and will not settle for less,”  Baswell said.

Baswell teaches Biology, Biology Honors and AP Biology.  She also coaches Club Volleyball at NASA South.