The fairy tale of Cinderella is a familiar one that has become an example of the underdog fighting incredible odds to achieve a dream.

For Snead State Community College alumna Haleigh Molock of Spring Garden, she lived her own version of Cinderella when she led her volleyball team to compete for a spot in the State Championship.

The 21-year-old is in her first year of coaching at Faith Christian High School, a college preparatory non-denominational Christian school in Oxford. Still in the teaching program at Jacksonville State University, Molock stepped into the role of head volleyball coach not sure what to expect of herself or her players.

“I wasn’t entirely sure how hard I should push the team. This was my first time coaching, and while I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what we were missing, I knew something was off,” she said.

Molock pulled on her experience as a volleyball player to shape her coaching technique. While at Spring Garden High School, she moved up to start as an Outside Hitter for all six rotations in Varsity while she was in the eighth grade. She was selected as team captain as a sophomore. Her accomplishments continued to rack up, earning her recognition as Cherokee County MVP and Spring Garden Player of the Year in 2020, Area MVP for 2019, the Final Four in 2019 and 2020, All County Team from 2017-2020, All Area Team in 2018, and the recipient of the Stan Jones Outstanding Christian Athlete Award.

Coming from a Spring Garden team that was North Regional Champions in 2019 and Area Champions from 2016-2019, Molock went on to play for Snead State, where her team finished second in the ACCC Tournament in 2021. Molock was Sophomore Team Captain, a three rotation outside hitter, and part of the NJCAA Second Team All Conference in 2022 ¬– all while playing with a torn labrum and bicep.

But it wasn’t her skills as a player that motivated her as a coach. It was the lessons learned as a player that she passed on to her team.

“After (our team’s) second game (of the season), a loss to Piedmont, it became clear what we needed. During my time at Spring Garden, we had a relentless work ethic, a strong focus on practice, and a level of grit and hustle that was unmatched when we played. I quickly realized that Faith lacked that same level of all-out effort and determination, but I also saw that the girls wanted more. They wanted to be pushed, to reach their full potential,” Molock said.

That’s when the hard work began with a particular focus on what the coach calls non-negotiables: always hustle, always maintain a positive attitude, and always give their best effort in practice as well as matches.

“It was a shock to the girls at first, but as the season went on, it became the standard they embraced.”

This “new team” with their brand new coach battled on the court with “a fire in their eyes and something to prove.” This Cinderella team never gave up and reached the first round of regional matches. They defeated Marion County in a tough five-set match up, taking them to the second, more challenging match against Shoals Christian. It was a match they weren’t expected to win, but they pulled off a sweep, securing their spot in the State Tournament quarterfinals as a Cinderella team.

“I would definitely agree that Faith Christian was a Cinderella team. No one expected us to go as far as we did, especially with such a small team. While we may have lacked height, we never lacked work ethic, heart, or determination.

“It was a surreal experience returning to the state tournament since 2020, but this time I didn’t return as a player. It was a completely new experience for me – transitioning from being a player on the court, listening to the coach, to now being the coach guiding the players. Seeing how far we had come since the beginning of the season was truly rewarding. I was fortunate to have an outstanding group of assistant coaches at my side, and their support was invaluable.”
While the Faith Christian team lost in quarterfinals of the state tournament to University Charter, the season was not without remarkable milestones for the coach. Molock came full circle when her team faced the team from Spring Garden, led by Molock’s former coach and mentor, Ricky Austin.

“When I found out Faith would be in the same area as Spring Garden, I was excited because I knew it would be a tough challenge for our team. It definitely changed how we approached practice. The first time we faced Spring Garden, we were passive, but the second time, the girls came out aggressive. During that game, I focused on giving my home school and Coach Rat (as Austin is nicknamed) a good, hard-fought match. (Spring Garden) still felt like home—I knew almost everyone in the gym and all of his players. It was a surreal feeling coaching against my alma mater, but it wasn’t personal. It was all about the love of the game,” Molock said.

While Molock is proud of her team and her first year as head coach, she’s already looking ahead.

“I’m not satisfied yet. At Spring Garden, we made it to the Final Four in 2019 and 2020, but we never won a state championship. Now, I want to win one of my own. I still have something to prove. Moving forward, I’m going to keep emphasizing the importance of grit and giving everything you’ve got, all the time, while pushing (my players) to go even further. Next season, I’ll be expecting more. My goal is to build a volleyball program at Faith that values hard work and produces gritty athletes,” she said.

Molock graduated from Spring Garden in 2021 and from Snead State in 2023 with an Associate degree in General Education. She is pursuing a Bachelor degree in Social Studies Secondary Education from JSU. She is currently in her senior practicum at Cleburne County High School teaching U.S. Government to seniors.

“I plan to continue coaching volleyball…but my primary focus is to help shape better people and prepare them for whatever challenges life may bring. In the future, I would also love to teach and coach at the collegiate level.

“Playing volleyball in high school and at Snead gave me a deep understanding of the game. I was fortunate to have incredible coaches who taught me everything I know. They didn’t just help me become a better athlete; they also taught me how to be a better person and hold myself accountable.”

Molock said she carries fond memories of her time at Snead State, giving credit to history professors like Dr. Grover Kitchens for fueling her passion for the subject and others such as Volleyball Coach Cristie Brothers, Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore, and First Lady of Snead Janet Whitmore for making Snead a home away from home for her.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without God’s guidance and the love and support of my family, friends, former coaches, and teachers. I am incredibly grateful for everything God has done for me.”

Molock passed along advice to potential students considering Snead State as part of the educational journey.

“I would tell them to be authentic and put themselves out there. As for anyone considering athletics, I’d say make sure you’re ready for the commitment it requires. You have to be prepared to work hard and give everything you’ve got. It takes grit and a true love for the game to succeed as a student-athlete.”