When Clay County Volleyball Head Coach Briley Burchett steps into the Bulldogs gym, her entire history flashes before her eyes.
Burchett enters her second year coaching at Clay County. Burchett returned to the Clay County community that watched her play. Burchett’s coaching and playing careers both began at Celina K-8. Burchett said when she began coaching, she had a clear goal in mind.
“I just want to uplift girls and I want to be the type of coach that I always wanted to always encourage me,” Burchett said. “I want to be there for them any way I can and give back to the little girls even if they’re not on my team. I want to give them advice or anything they can do to make the team eventually.”
Burchett said her high school coach inspired her because of how much he loved coaching the Bulldogs. Burchett said she saw inspiration and support for not only herself, but also the Bulldogs that stepped on the same court with her.
“I’ve always loved volleyball so I knew I always wanted to come back and coach and just give back to my community,” Burchett said. “And the position came open, and they asked me if I wanted it, I applied for it, and I got it.”
Burchett has been around volleyball since her sixth grade year. Burchett started during that season due to the small team Celina K-8 fielded. Burchette said since taking over, she sees volleyball a completely different way.
“When I was a player, I don’t think I really realized like what all volleyball had done for me,” Burchett said. “But now I think it gives me peace of mind to know I can go there and just coach and be myself and forget about everything else.”