James Clemens’ Marigrace Holt signs with Pensacola State
Marigrace Holt with her mom, Shonda Burks, at Holt’s signing ceremony. A multi-sport athlete, Holt announced her intentions to play volleyball for Pensacola State College. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)
By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer
MADISON – James Clemens senior volleyball player Marigrace Holt made it official in an April 27 signing ceremony that she will be heading south on an athletic scholarship to Pensacola State College.
Holt said she went on an official visit to the campus just two weeks ago and fell in love with her surroundings.
“The campus was very nice, and who doesn’t love the beach?” Holt said.
Holt was one of what Jets head volleyball coach Amanda Smith called her “sophomore babies” – members of James Clemens’ first full senior class who entered as sophomores in the school’s first year.
“I’m so proud of you,” Smith said. “You really deserve this and so much more.”
Holt played libero her first year, which is the player on a volleyball team that wears a different-colored uniform and plays strictly defense in the middle of the floor. Holt made the move to outside hitter her junior year and played in the middle her senior year with the Jets.
“She has been the player I can plug in anywhere and she’ll do well,” Smith said.
For her career, Holt logged 325 kills, 102 solo blocks and 62 aces over 267 sets played. In addition to volleyball, Holt competes on the James Clemens track team, which recently won its Area at the sectional meet, and the tennis team.
During her speech, Holt thanked her mom, Smith and Jets assistant coach Kim Kelley.
“Thank you for pushing me to be the player I am today,” Holt said.
Holt’s mom, Shonda Burks, sat beside Holt as she signed and spoke after the ceremony of her daughter’s accomplishments.
“I’m just so proud of her,” she said. “As a single mother I was busy and worked a lot of night shifts for 20, 30 days straight. She didn’t know anybody when we first moved here. She stayed out of trouble and did great. I’m just so proud.”
