Greeneville's Gray To Play Volleyball At Pellissippi State

Hannah Gray extended her athletic playing career by signing to play Volleyball at Pellissippi State Community College on Wednesday afternoon.

"It’s so cool. I’m so excited,” she expressed. "I’m thankful for all the opportunities that've been provided to me.”

The Lady Panthers of Pellissippi State are a new start-up program and recently finished their inaugural season in the fall. They finished with a record of 3-9 (2-6). They compete in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association.

They are coached by Greene County native and Chuckey-Doak alumnus Erika Waycaster. She served as a player during Walters State’s inaugural season of volleyball and will put her past experience to use as a head coach during their start-up period.

Gray's decision to go to Pellissippi State was based on the close proximity to home and the friends who will be joining her in Knoxville. To adjust to the college game, she knows hard work and persistence will be key.

"I have my friends going with me and they’re going to be there along the way and be by my side. I’m going to work hard and keep going,” she mentioned.

Hannah’s volleyball career at Greeneville High School ended in October with a Class 2A Sectional loss to Anderson County. Her career in green and white was fruitful with plenty of hardware. She traveled to Murfreesboro to compete in the state tournament twice in her freshman and junior seasons. She was a part of a senior class that won four-straight district tournament championships from 2020-23 and claimed a regional title in 2020.

She reflected back on her playing career, "It’s meant a lot. It’s been my whole life and I’m sad to be leaving, but excited to move forward.”

She plans on centering her studies around radiology with the aspirations of becoming an ultrasound technician.