SCCHS volleyball players Allison Layton, seated left, and Hayley Main, seated right, signed scholarships to Southern Union recently. Seated between the two players is Southern Union Coach Ametrice Jackson. Standing, from left, are Layton’s parents, Dennis and Kim Layton, SCCHS principal Brian Terry, athletic director Carl Mims, coach Brittany Owens, assistant coach Mary Busbee, and Main’s mom Tara Zabawa.
Allison Layton
Layton is the 18-year-old daughter of Dennis and Kim Layton of Odenville.
She played at the varsity level for the Lady Saints for four years and two years with Odenville Middle School.
“It’s overwhelming,” Layton said. “When I tried out for the seventh-grade volleyball team, I didn’t even make it. It made me work harder than ever before.
“The next year I made the team, and was a starter. Now five years later, I’m moving on to play collegiate volleyball. It’s such a great blessing to have the support of my teammates and family.”
Layton is a setter and was named All-County her senior year. She made All-Area three consecutive years.
Layton maintains a 3.0 GPA and she is undecided about her major.
“It means so much to be able to see Allison continue doing what she loves,” Kim Layton said. “She tried several sports before trying volleyball in the sixth grade, and didn’t fall in love with any of them.
“Once she tried volleyball, she has played virtually year-round ever since. She has worked so hard to improve to the level of playing in college, and her dad and I are very proud of her.”
Layton finished her senior season with 128 kills, 55 digs, 54 aces and 267 assists.
Kim Layton said Allison went to tryouts at Southern Union as a junior, and fell in love with the campus, coach, and team.
“When she found out she had made the team this year, seeing her excitement was priceless,” she said. “Volleyball has helped her become more confident and assertive, and has helped her become a well-rounded young woman. I can’t wait to see her continue pursuing her dream.”
Hayley Main
Main is the 17-year-old daughter of Tara Zabawa of Odenville and George Main of Tennessee. She too has been playing volleyball since her days at Odenville Middle School.
“I feel really honored,” Main said. “It is a wonderful opportunity that many people do not get to experience. I’m really glad and excited about going to college with Allison. We have been playing volleyball together since the sixth grade.”
Main’s position on the volleyball team is libero, which means team specialist. She was a member of the varsity Lady Saints for four years.
Main said she had gone to several tryouts. Tryouts at Snead State and Gadsden State. Main said she liked the coach at Southern Union.
“Coach (Mechi) Jackson is one of the best coaches I have ever met,” Main said.
Main has a 3.3 GPA and is planning on majoring in nursing. After two years at Southern Union, she plans on transferring to Auburn to continue her nursing degree.
“We are very proud of Hayley,” Tara Zabawa said. “She has worked very hard to get this scholarship. With her determination, I am positive she will achieve her goal. She will definitely go far in life. She has always been very determined.”
For the season, Main had 340 digs and 16 aces.
SCCHS volleyball coach Brittany Owens said she was very proud of Layton and Main. “They have worked hard all season and gave all they had on the court,” Owens said.
“They have been great leaders.”
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
