Haily Galvin, Elle Brown, Delilah Johnson, Jazzlyn Richardson, Chelsea Akins, Briley Byrge, Quinlynn Miller, Harmony Raymer, Madison May, Carrissa Alday Bottom row : Elena Ruiz, Serinitee Jackson, Finlee Peavyhouse, Saydee Miller, Bristol Lane, Mia Alday, Trinity Peavyhouse, Myca Butler pose for picture after winning Silver Division championship at Athens Tennessee Preseason Tournament on 8/10/24.(Photo:Submitted)

Lady Eagles Open 2024 with Sweetwater Win And Tournament Win

Rhea Middle School Softball Coach Haily Galvan Back to Her Roots

Evensville, TN --  Rhea Middle School will have a new head coach this year in Haily Galvan, who was on the staff last year. Hailey will have 15 sixth and seventh graders on the team with only three eighth graders on this year's team. She graduated Bryan college with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Health Science. She has a Masters in Sports Management. She graduated from Rhea County High School in 2017.

Hailey talked about her road back to Rhea Middle and her expectations for this year's team.

"Just from my experience from last year, I realized how far back to the basics you have to
go with this age level. These girls are either playing softball out of school or they’re not. This can
make it more difficult compared to coaching at the collegiate level. You have to teach them the
mechanics of everything in softball. I feel like having to coach from this age group will allow me
as a coach to grow."

" Getting to go back to Cleveland State and help one of the best coaches I know,
Steve Jaecks, was too short of a time. When I was there I realized that everything I was telling
these young women was everything Coach Jaecks taught me. He always has had my back, and
after finishing my time at Cleveland State and moving on to Bryan. I would call Jaecks and
update him on how life, school, and softball was going. When I got the opportunity to go help
Jaecks last fall for a few weeks, He told me how everything was finally working out for me and
my career, and how he could not be more proud! I still update him!"

"My assistant coach this year is Carissa Alday! She has been with me every step of the
way, and I really lucked out with my very first assistant coach! I can not wait to see how our
coaching can help this team!"

"This year on our pitching staff, we have four strong arms! Madison May(8th), Delilah
Johnson(7th), Saydee Miller(6th), and Mia Alday(6th). As for the line up we have a good
diversity of lefties and right handed batters. I feel like once we get our bats going, it will be very
hard to shut us down!"

Hailey responded to questions about the strengths of this team. "Strengths I believe that we have a good amount of players who play ball outside of school. This helps when the players who need guidance can learn from the coaches and their teammates. I feel like we have a strong pitching staff and offense. Our defense is right behind both of those as well. We also have good team chemistry! With only four returners out of seventeen girls makes me more excited how well they mash together. I love their energy and
their grit! These girls want to win, and I hope I can get them where they want to be!"

"I am so grateful to get the opportunity to coach both middle school and the high school team for
this county, and I love that I get to give back!"