After guiding the James Kenan Tigers to a state playoff appearance in her first season, second-year Head Coach Hannah Blaylock Quinn is focused on taking the program to even greater heights during the 2026 volleyball season.
With a year of experience under her belt and a roster filled with returning talent, Blaylock Quinn believes the Tigers are positioned to build upon the success they established last fall.
“We expect to come out even stronger this upcoming season,” Blaylock Quinn said. “We’ve been practicing hard and learning a lot of new things that will help us in the long run.”
Experienced Core Returns
James Kenan welcomes back several key contributors, including much of last season’s starting lineup. The returning players bring valuable experience and are eager to continue developing their skills while embracing the expectations that come with competing at a high level.
Their familiarity with Blaylock Quinn’s system should provide the Tigers with a solid foundation as they prepare for another competitive season.
Developing More Than Athletes
For Blaylock Quinn, success extends far beyond wins and losses. Her philosophy centers on developing young women who are confident, resilient, and prepared for life beyond the volleyball court.
“My coaching philosophy has never been just to develop better athletes; it’s to develop better young women,” Blaylock Quinn said. “What I’m really coaching is confidence, resilience, and the ability to show up for something bigger than yourself.”
She continued by emphasizing the culture she strives to create within the program.
“When a player walks into my gym, the first thing I want her to feel is that she belongs here. When she believes that, everything else follows the hard work, the trust, the growth. Those things don’t stay on the court. They carry her into the classroom, into her career, and into every difficult season of life she’ll face long after the last ball hits the floor.”
“That’s what I’m building at James Kenan: not just a volleyball program, but a place where young women learn who they are and what they’re capable of.”
Ready for the Challenge
As the Tigers enter their second season competing in the 2A/3A Swine Valley Conference following conference realignment, Blaylock Quinn welcomes the level of competition that lies ahead.
She believes the conference is talented from top to bottom and expects every match to present a new challenge while providing opportunities for the Tigers to earn significant victories throughout the season.
With experienced leadership returning, a strong team culture, and a coach committed to developing both athletes and young women, James Kenan enters the season with high expectations and plenty of optimism.
The Mount Olive Tribune wishes Head Coach Hannah Blaylock Quinn and the James Kenan Tigers the very best during the upcoming volleyball season and appreciates the opportunity to provide readers with an inside look at what’s happening in Tigers Land.