By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Going from sport to sport can be a challenge.
Tipton-Rosemark Academy’s Sarah Allyn Thornell had a full plate playing multiple sports for the Lady Rebels, following in the successful footsteps of her big sister Jordyn and adding to the athletic legacy of her family.
But it was her father Keith’s quiet contributions, mother Brandi investing time and her wisdom from her playing days and long sessions in the backyard with Jordyn playing volleyball that curved a path for Sarah Allyn to sign her letter of intent to Itawamba March 31 in the TRA Gymnasium.
“This has always been my dream to play in college and Itawamba is the place for me,” Sarah Allyn said. “I am so glad I get to go to a place where I want to be.
“The coach really played into my decision,” she continued. “She’s like my favorite person ever. I love her and she’s just awesome. And Mary Leslie played a big part because I feel like Itawamba is just like home especially with her being there.”
The Itawamba Indians are led by Head Coach Priscilla Morgan. The Indians are a part of the NJCAA and play in the Mississippi Athletic Community Colleigate Conference. A couple of years ago, TRA Volleyball standout Mary Leslie Cranford signed to play with Itawamba.
While Cranford was a part of the Lady Rebel roster, Thornell primarily played setter providing Cranford with various kill chances. But the departure of Cranford left a void in the TRA line up Lady Rebels Head Coach Amy Weatherington had to fill.
“Sarah Allyn has always been a leader for us,” she said. “She has always been outspoken and known what she wants. Throughout her years of playing volleyball, she’s become more and more confident. She knows the game very well and knows not to question herself. She knows not to doubt herself and ability. That’s so huge and rare these days. Just the confidence she has.”
Entering the 2020 campaign, the Lady Rebels had the shadow of COVID-19 protocols and shifting the lineup looming.
“When I first started coaching them, we were running a 6-2 offense which means we had two setters,” Weatherington recalled. “When we switched to a 5-1 with her as just our setter. Then last year we realized she is such a strong offensive threat that we really did need her to be a hitter.
“And I talked to her and said this is what we need as a team,” she continued. “’Are you willing to accept that?’ She fought hard to get the 5-1 position. She basically said, ‘I will do whatever it takes to make us successful.’ She went out of the comfort zone and pushed all the way through it.”
TRA won the Regional championship and hosted the Sub-State game with Thornell embracing her new role.
“It was rough for her,” Brandi acknowledged. “We are the parents and we see on the back end of that. The coaches make the decision. It was tough because in prior years she was district MVP, she was All-Region. She was all those things because she was such a great setter.
“Then in her senior year when she really should have been at the pinnacle of her setting, she was having to hit,” she added. “At first, after the shock of it wore off, she knew it was the right decision. She said, ‘if I was my coach I would have done the same thing.’”
Brandi, who played on the JUCO level for basketball in Mississippi, was a constant presence at games for Sarah Allyn as a cheerleader, videographer and assistant coach. When Sarah Allyn gravitated to the sport in the fifth grade, Brandi knew the time spent with Jordyn was helping something special blossom.
“Her older sister Jordyn played volleyball and she had to have somebody to help her,” she said. “So Jordyn need like a practice dummy and Sarah Allyn became her helper. That’s where she started loving it, playing with Jordan in the backyard. Then when started getting good, she was like I’m better at this than anything else, I’ll stick with this.”
Then Sarah continued her development in athletics through other sports being a part of the first Lady Rebel Basketball team to reach State under the leadership of Cedric Anderson.
“She always been a good team player but I think it is because of her sports and being involved in so much,” Brandi said. “Having to hold herself accountable with her practices, club practice and basketball practices. All of that coming together had helped her be more of team players.”
Sarah Allyn said her time on the hardwood helped her humility. She was not the go-to player like she was in volleyball. She stuck with drills and practiced hard to make herself a part of Anderson’s rotation.
“Coach Ced had a really big impact in my life,” she said. “I really wasn’t a basketball person. My mom loves basketball so I always played for her. Playing basketball kept me in shape. Then the leadership on and off the basketball court was so strong. I just loved it even though it wasn’t my strongest sport.
“I realized it helped me in volleyball to see somebody can be a leader even when they’re not so advanced,” Sarah Allyn added. “Because that’s how I feel in basketball. You can be a strong leader even though you’re a star at one sport and not a star at the other.”
Sarah Allyn said she had a chance to be a role player in basketball and start in volleyball because of her family’s support. Younger brother Tanner was nearby watching how she handled her busy schedule.
Dad kept busy as a chemical salesman to make sure his children had opportunities to chance their dream. Mom devoted her time and expertise to Sarah Allyn to prepare her for all challenges. And big sister was the role model that instilled the mindset Sarah Allyn needed to reach the college level.
“They made me mentally stronger and pushed me to never give up,” Sarah Allyn concluded.
