HIGH SCHOOL

Cavitt becomes new volleyball coach at Madison

Michael Odom

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

After spending the past seven seasons at Liberty, Jeremiah Cavitt has decided to coach a different volleyball team in the Jackson-Madison County School System.

Cavitt has been named the new volleyball coach at Madison, replacing Crystal Slaughter.

"Madison has a great history of making the state tournament under Shanna O'Bright and Crystal Slaughter," Cavitt said. "With that great history, I believe we can get back to that level, and I hope to be that coach that gets them there. It is a daunting task as I will be the new coach and the only coach to not lead the team to state."

Cavitt will continue to teach choir at Liberty.

Having played Madison over the past couple of seasons, the Lady Mustangs left an impression on him.

"When we played them, they were always athletic, and they never quit," Cavitt said. "They always came out and thought they could compete with any team. This will be exciting for the both of us."

Volleyball teams are able to have open gym right now, and that is what Cavitt has already started at Madison.

"They are hard workers, and they have done everything I have asked," Cavitt said. "All the schools have good kids, but with us building the program at Madison, I know that the cream of the crop will rise to the top. There are kids that want to be at Madison.

"We want to continue to work in the right direction and have a competitive season. We want to be better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we were today."

Leaving Liberty, though, wasn't an easy decision.

"There were tears shed when I told the girls," Cavitt said. "They buy into you as a coach, and you buy into them as players. These freshmen, sophomore and juniors looked up to you for next season with high hopes. I told them that they will get a new coach that can take them to a different level and to keep their heads up. I am still teaching there, so I am still there to help in anyway I can."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754 and on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.