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Going Out – with a – Victory
t. Francis Xavier Crusaders said goodbye to their girls’ volleyball coach, Mike Tennent, after he led the school to seven Middle School Championships. The undefeated St. Francis Xavier Crusaders girls’ volleyball team finished the 2016 season by defeating the Glynn Middle Hurricanes to clinch the Middle School Championship. The victory this year by the girls’ volleyball team was somewhat bittersweet. The founder and biggest supporter of the team, Coach Mike Tennent, announced that he was retiring. Coach Tennent began working at St. Francis Xavier as a Physical Education teacher following his retirement from the National Park Service, where his last station was Fort Frederica. He also coached soccer and started the girls’ volleyball program in 2005. Coach Tennent retired from teaching after two years, but continued coaching the girls’ volleyball team as a volunteer. During his tenure at St. Francis, Coach Tennent successfully won a total of seven Glynn County Middle School Volleyball Championships. This year, the team also TOP: 2016 St. Francis Xavier Championship Team. ABOVE: Coach Mike Tennent.
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ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
received support from Lance Turpin as assistant coach and Gaby Soler-Jensen as a volunteer. Coach Tennent attributes much of his success to the widespread participation of the students. “I try to make it fun and I think we’ve been
successful.” Coach Tennent utilizes an A and B team approach, where the upperclassmen and more experienced girls generally play on the A team. However, he strives to get as much playing time for the B team girls as possible so that they can develop. Kelsey Ann Cabiness, one of this year’s Co-Captains noted the system helped her develop as a younger player and that many of the former starters, some who now play for the Glynn Academy Red Terror team, were her role models. For Coach Tennent, the fourth Glynn County championship was an emotional victory. While he looks forward to another retirement, and possibly a little more golf, he will miss all the girls. He hopes the girls, from each of the seasons, will carry forth their faith, the lessons they have learned, and the love of the game wherever life may lead.
