Perhaps one of the best high school volleyball players in the Columbus Valley to ever step foot on a court is Shardonee’ Hayes. The 6’3” student-athlete was featured in the October/November issue of the Columbus Valley magazine. A senior who maintained a 3.83 GPA, Hayes is talented and smart. So much so that she caught the attention of several colleges and universities early on in her playing career. Eventually, she settled on attending the University of Arizona as a scholarship athlete. Signing with a Division I program in the Pacific 12 (Pac-12) was a huge deal, but there was one interesting side note about Hayes that makes her accomplishments even more amazing.
She didn’t even start playing volleyball until four years ago as a freshman at Columbus.
Hayes is a natural athlete and so much more. She has the drive, maturity, and intellect to be a coach’s dream player. Maybe her Blue Devils coach, Donna Fleming, recognized some potential in Hayes, but no one imagined the athlete would take to the sport so quickly. Her work ethic and determination helped her overcome the lack of a stronger background with the game, and the coaching expertise of Fleming, who has the reputation of producing winning teams, moved Hayes into a realm of being able to play at the collegiate level.
Shortly after Hayes was featured in the magazine, the Columbus High Blue Devils won the State Volleyball Championship. Hayes said it would the best way to end her high school career. She has an impressive list of statistics, honors, and awards, but Hayes is quick to give credit where it is due.
She cites her mother, teammates and a few others who have been in her corner. One person in particular holds a special place in her heart. Coach Fleming.
“She saw something in me.”
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In The Game/June 2016
Stories of the Year
Shardonee’ Hayes
Columbus High School Volleyball
By Beth Welch
Photo by Jerry Christenson
