Harris Earns Gamer of the Week Honors

Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s Female Gamer of the Week to Junior, Jocie Harris of the Buffalo High School Volleyball team.  

As the volleyball season heats up, local athlete Jocie Harris is making waves on the court, leading her team, the Bisons, to an impressive record of 30-6-1. With a personal goal of reaching 1,000 digs, Jocie is just 55 digs away from achieving this milestone, currently sitting at 945 digs. 

Harris picked up the sport in fifth grade, inspired by her older sister, who was a standout player herself. "My sister was such a good player, and she’s the reason I fell in love with volleyball.” "She is now helping coach and gives such good advice and I know I can always talk to her about any issues I’m having on the court and off of the court."  

Initially a libero, Harris transitioned to a hitter in the past two years, showcasing her versatility by playing all the way around. With 630 kills to her name since starting as a hitter last season, she has become a crucial asset to her team. “Jocie has worked hard to become a very successful hitter. She has a great understanding of the game from her years as a defensive specialist. Jocie is currently second on the team in kills and is our leading server at 98.7%. Her height and passing abilities make Jocie a very special volleyball player. It’s a unique combination that you don’t see in a lot of players.” Coach Barry Clendenin. 

This season, the Bison have proven themselves against formidable opponents, including double and triple A teams. “We might be a small school but we will challenge almost every team we play.” Harris remarked. "We never give up, we have such good trust, we also have a lot of experience with returning players that play in the off season and I would never want to play with any other girls." 

Off the court, Harris is equally committed to her future. She aspires to play volleyball in college, ideally in West Virginia, while pursuing a career as an ultrasound tech or radiologist. In addition to her athletic pursuits, she is an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America and has represented her school at nationals for the past two years. Harris is also a member of the Putnam Volleyball Club. 

As the season progresses, Harris and her teammates are excited to see where their hard work will take them. With the goal of returning to states, the camaraderie and friendship among the players fuel their determination. "Playing with my two best friends makes the game so much more fun," she said. 

With the support of her family, teammates, and coaches, Harris is poised to achieve her goal of 1,000 digs and lead the Bison on their journey through the rest of the season.  

Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s Female Gamer of the Week Sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald.

MEGAN SCARBERRY, MS, CPT, POTENTIAL PLUS INSTRUCTOR AT TEAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER INC.