Hurdle set to play volleyball at Northwest

Valerie Hurdle of Holly Springs, a pivotal four-year varsity player and decorated captain for the Northpoint Christian School volleyball Lady Trojans, will be playing next season at NJCAA Region 23 power Northwest Mississippi Community College. Hurdle was among a celebrated quartet of seniors who recently signed collegiate letters, capping a phenomenal high school tenure defined by leadership and historic team success.

During her career at Northpoint, the Lady Trojans reached heights never achieved by the program before. Playing in the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-A, Hurdle and Northpoint won the school’s first-ever state championship in 2024. The 3-0 sweep of Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, Tenn.) in the championship round avenged a 3-0 loss to BGA in the first round of the tournament.

It was Hurdle’s kill that was the tournament-winning shot to finish a 25-22, 25-21, 25-19 victory. In this tournament, Northpoint won a match for the first time in four appearances at the state finals. The school had not won a match at state in three previous appearances (2007, 2021, 2023).

This fall, Northpoint was two points away from another return visit to the Murfreesboro state finals, but Battle Ground Academy came to Northpoint and won a five-set thriller in the sub-state round with the final set ending 18-16 for BGA.

While at Northpoint, Hurdle played as an outside hitter, opposite hitter, and defensive specialist for her team and head coach Kim Robinson. Individual accolades include being named MVP for the West Region as well as multiple all-district selections. She has been described by Robinson as a leader and an anchor for the Lady Trojans.

“Val has been a pillar to our team and our program since she walked in our gym four years ago,” Robinson said. “She is a selfless athlete who gives 100 percent to her teammates, her coaches and to the program.”

“The plan has always been to play volleyball in college,” Hurdle stated, emphasizing her versatility and willingness to play any position needed for the team.

Now, Hurdle heads to Northwest, which has become a Region 23 power in the school’s short five-year time as a program. Under coach Allison Burchyett, the Lady Rangers won the first-ever MACCC conference championship in 2024 and were in the Region tournament in 2024 and 2025.

At Northwest, Hurdle will rejoin a teammate from her Northpoint championship team in freshman Hassie Claire Thurman. Another former Lady Trojan, Sailor Cole, was a sophomore on this fall’s squad.

Hurdle brings a valuable combination of powerful hitting, reliable defensive skill, and seasoned leadership to the Rangers’ roster as she begins her collegiate journey in Senatobia.

“We wish her the best at Northwest as she becomes a Ranger, although always being a Lady Trojan,” Robinson said.