When Opp resident Hope Bedsole graduated from Kinston High School it looked like her volleyball days were over - game, set and match.

The state champion, Bedsole was a member of the Lady Bulldogs team that won a state title her junior year, however remained interested in the sport and eventually got back in the game.

Bedsole now serves the sport as an official and is happy to see the sport grow in the area.

"The teams in this area are more competitive than they used to be," Bedsole said. "The teams have improved a lot. I think there are more schools with teams now, too."

Bedsole said she began playing volleyball when she was in eighth grade at Kinston. She said she and her brother, Jim, attended Kinston High School because their parents graduated from the school.

Her high school volleyball career included a state championship and a runner-up finish her senior season.

After she graduated, it took three years until she and some friends decided to get back into the sport as officials.

The money is nice, but Bedsole said she enjoys watching the fast-paced play of the sport.

"I enjoy it," she said. "I enjoy watching the sport. I like the action of the sport."

She is a pretty good official having been assigned to call an area tournament next Monday. She said she will probably call the regional tournament hosted by either Opp or Andalusia depending on which team wins the area tournament.

Bedsole stays active herself. She is a dean's list student at Troy State University where she is majoring in elementary education.

She is the daughter of Jimmie and Fay Bedsole and a member of Alverton Baptist Church. She is also involved in Baptist Campus Ministries at Troy State University.