For Andalusia seniors Amber Anderson and Airyesha Jenkins, their time playing volleyball at AHS has been fruitful.

Anderson started playing the sport as a freshman and Jenkins joined the squad while a sophomore.

Anderson, though, played the sport before entering high school.

“I’ve been playing since middle school,” Anderson said.

Jenkins said she loves the “competition” of volleyball and how it allows her teammates to communicate with each other on the court.

“It’s a good way to learn how to talk to each other,” Jenkins said. “We become a team by learning how to talk to each other.”

“The aces, the kills and just the whole team effort and getting very close to the girls,” are what she likes about volleyball, Anderson said. “It’s not all about playing volleyball with each other. You learn so many life lessons through the years.”

Both girls have played under Andalusia coach Angie Grimes while at AHS. They both said that she has taught them, in addition to becoming better players, how to be better women in society.

“She’s taught us just how to be a people person,” Anderson said. “And how a young lady should act in public.”

“We get to learn how to get people skills,” Jenkins said. “And when you wear your jerseys, you represent Andalusia; it’s not you anymore.”

Another lesson both say Grimes taught them is to take life and “roll with the punches.”

“You can never let anything stop you. Go through the obstacles and never give up,” Anderson said. “Work to succeed.”

Being a senior can be a daunting task for any athlete in high school.

For Anderson and Jenkins, the hardest thing about being seniors is that it can get “lonely” on the team at times.

“It’s only two of us and we’re trying to be a good example for the whole team,” Jenkins said. “It’s hard being a leader — being a good leader for the team.”

Last weekend, Anderson and Jenkins helped lead their team to a third-place finish at the Class 4A regional tournament in Mobile. Their Lady Bulldogs defeated Montgomery Catholic 3-1 in the consolation round.

This week, both will help lead their team to the state tournament after the sub-state round on Thursday.

Anderson and Jenkins said in order to be successful, the team needs to “work together.”

“Work together as a team,” Jenkins said. “And leave all the school drama stuff outside the door. You’ve got to get into it and get ready to play some volleyball.”

Anderson said she plans to attend Auburn University and major in pharmacy, if she doesn’t get to play volleyball at the next level.

Jenkins said she has gotten interest from Middle Tennessee, but ultimately would like to work as a secretary.

Anderson is the daughter of Bridges and Victoria Anderson of Andalusia; and Jenkins is the daughter of Clararesa and Perry Sanders, also of Andalusia.