ELLISVILLE – What to do for an encore?
 
Jones College won the NJCAA Region 23 volleyball championship in its first year as a program in 2024.
 
Head coach John Dussouy was not completely surprised at the success of that team and is optimistic about the upcoming season.
 
"Every recruit that took a visit in 2023 was told that we would compete for a title in the first year," he said. "Those players bought into what we were trying to do and how we planned on accomplishing that goal through team chemistry and in the end having fun, since it is just a game. I believe that the core of those players that decided to stay for the 2025 season will teach those same simple philosophies to the incoming freshmen. The best teams are player driven."
 
The Bobcats went 28-8 and return eight players from that roster.
 
Mamie Fromdahl (Mobile, Ala.), Sara Akins (Lafayette), LeAnn Lambert (East Central), Hanna James (Sumrall), Adelaide Egner (Center Hill), Hailey Duque (West Lauderdale), Alanah Fitch (Raceland, La.) and Harmony Jackson (Lafayette) are back from last year. Chelsea Daffin (Mobile, Ala.) is a sophomore transfer from the University of New Orleans. 
 
Jackson was named an NJCAA All-American last year and Fromdahl was the MACCC Player of the Year. Jackson, Fromdahl and Fitch were All-MACCC in 2024. Jensie Doise (Baton Rouge, La.) was expected to be a major contributor to last year's team, but was injured before the season.
 
"We have so many players that did well last year, but I believe that Jensi Doise, a redshirt freshman who tore her ACL last year in the pre-season scrimmage, could have a breakout season," Dussouy added.
 
The Bobcats will be among the top teams in the MACCC in 2025. Dussouy said if the players can respond well then the team has a chance to go far in postseason play.
 
"Our success for the 2025 season will be once again depending on the players themselves," he said. "This year Jones volleyball will have a target on their back due to last year's success. If this team can be mentally prepared for the season, they could do what no team has ever done and make it to the NJCAA tournament."
 
Mississippi Gulf Coast, Southwest and East Central will all be playing their first year of volleyball this season. Dussouy said the future is very bright for the conference.
 
"Volleyball is growing at a rapid pace in Mississippi, not only at the JUCO level but throughout high school and travel ball," he said. "More and more schools are getting stronger and stronger hoping to increase the parity of the sport itself. In 2025 we have nine teams, three of which will be first-year programs. I would not be surprised in the next two years if two to three more schools will consider joining the MACCC."
 
Dussouy expects a wide-open league race with the returning teams all improving and the new teams bringing energy to the league.
 
"Based on the six teams from last year I believe that every team has improved based on the players that they have recruited," he said. "The three new schools have incredible coaches that they have hired.  It should be a lot of fun watching all these teams battle for the top spot in the regular season and win the right to host the Region 23 Tournament."
 
Dussouy said the Bobcats non-conference schedule will be a challenge with such opponents as No. 6 Gulf Coast State, No. 3 Heartland (Ill.), No. 10 Pensacola State, No. 8 Illinois Central and No. 17 Enterprise State.
 
"In the NJCAA we are allowed 28 play dates, 16 of those dates were taken by the conference schedule where you play everyone home and away," he said. "The other 12 dates were teams in Alabama and Florida.  We will play two tournaments, one in Gulf Shores, Ala., and the biggest tournament will be in Pensacola. We were the only team from the MACCC invited where we will play four games, all versus nationally ranked opponents."
 
Dussouy said he is fortunate to have assistant coach Addie Satcher back for her second season.
 
"I am extremely lucky to have an assistant such as coach Addie," he said. "She handles a lot of the off the court stuff with the players, such as the academic aspect, community service, and the workout program. The players gravitate to her personality and when I need an opinion on anything she definitely will not pull any punches."
 
Dussouy is looking forward to another quality season.
 
"A lot of people have made the comment that after the success of 2024 the expectations will be high for 2025," he said. "My response is always the same, this is Jones College, expectations are always high. But in the end no matter what, win or lose, we are going to have a good time."
 
The Bobcats begin regular season play at Wallace State-Selma (Ala.) on Aug. 25 and will host Mississippi Gulf Coast at 6 p.m. on Aug. 27.