Morgan steps down to focus on life outside of volleyball

FULTON, Miss. – After serving three years as ICC's head volleyball coach, Priscilla Morgan has announced her plans to step down from coaching in December.

"I would like to thank Dr. Jay Allen and Itawamba for giving me the opportunity to build the first volleyball program," said Morgan. "This experience has been the highlight of my 12-year collegiate coaching experience. The decision to step down from coaching has been extremely difficult to make, but I know at this point in my life, it is important that I focus on myself and my family."

The Indians made back-to-back trips to the NJCAA Gulf District Tournament and compiled a record of 32 wins and 19 losses while facing some of the nation's best competition under Morgan's guidance. She has an overall record of 93-55 and a 38-17 conference record with stops in Texas, New Mexico and Mississippi.

This past season, ICC picked up three wins over Top 20 opponents, including a win over No. 18 Pearl River in straight sets to advance to the Gulf District Tournament in Lake City, Fla.

"We appreciate all the hard work and dedication Coach Morgan put into our volleyball program and to the college," said ICC Athletic Director Carrie Ball-Williamson. "It's not easy starting a new program from scratch, but she has laid a firm foundation for the next coach to be able to continue to build toward the future."

In their inaugural season, the Indians finished 13-7 and were named Academic Team of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC). The team also earned honorable mention recognition as Academic Team of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

"Coach Morgan did an excellent job in not only getting our volleyball program off the ground, but to also have instant success both on the court and in the classroom," said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. "The team made back-to-back trips to the Gulf District Tournament while being named Academic Team of the Year with numerous players earning conference and national academic honors last season."

"I am so grateful for having the chance to coach some of the best student-athletes in Mississippi, and I will miss seeing them every day. I will also miss the relationships I have made at ICC and within the volleyball community throughout the state. I wish the best of luck and success to the future teams, and my joy will come knowing I got to be a part of it. I hope our sport will continue to grow in Mississippi and be loved by all who share the love for the game."

The College will begin the process of searching for a new head coach in the near future.

"We will work diligently to find a great coach to continue the tradition of success that has been created in our volleyball program," said Allen.

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