Each weekend, The Warren County Way will be selecting a Pioneer of the Week. That honor is sponsored by R3 Logistics. Be on the lookout for the Pioneers of the Week throughout the 2026-27 school year.
Alyssa BoyD and Jenna Mullins, WCHS Volleyball
In an era where looking for greener pastures has become easier when playing time gets scarce, Jenna Mullins and Alyssa Boyd chose a different path.
The two Warren County seniors stayed, worked hard daily and accepted roles that were different from what either may have envisioned for their final season and waited for their numbers to be called.
Last week, they were called twice. The first time, Warren County needed them. The second time, they had earned it.
For their patience, leadership and production when their opportunities arrived, Mullins and Boyd are the R3 Logistics co-Pioneers of the Week for Sept. 6-12.
Thursday night at LaVergne, the Lady Pioneers were searching for a spark. Warren County was out of sorts early and coach Erin Blalock turned to a group that has spent much of the season together on the JV floor, asking Mullins, Boyd and several younger Lady Pioneers to change the energy of the match.
They did.
The move helped Warren County settle in before eventually grinding out a five-set district victory, snapping a four-match district losing streak and giving the Lady Pioneers a much-needed boost.
It also reinforced something Blalock had already seen from Mullins and Boyd earlier in the season when they were put in a position to help the younger members of the squad.
“They are leaders for that team,” Blalock said. “We told them what their role was on the team and they’ve really embraced that. They took charge and they lead the younger girls on the court and really keep everybody picked up.”
Less than 24 hours after being called upon because Warren County needed something different, Mullins and Boyd were back on the varsity floor Friday afternoon for an entirely different reason.
This time, their work deserved some extra flowers.
Warren County had already taken complete control against Van Buren County, winning the opening set 25-9 in the first day game held at Charlie Dalton Gymnasium. With students packing the stands, Blalock changed almost the entire lineup for the second set and handed the court to a group led by Mullins and Boyd.
For two seniors who have spent much of the year helping guide younger players, it was a chance to perform in front of their classmates in one of the most unique atmospheres of the season. Blalock wanted them to enjoy it.
“I think it’s always fun to play in the Dalt just in general, but as the students were coming in and filling the gym up, I thought, man, this is such a unique experience for the girls,” Blalock said. “That’s what I kept telling them throughout the whole game. Look around and just take it in because it’s such a great experience that a lot of people don’t get to do. I’m really glad that they got to play during the day in front of their peers, in front of their teachers and then in front of their family too.”
Senior captain Aubrey Oleksik felt the same way.
“We just wanted to give everybody a chance because it’s the first time that this has ever been able to happen before,” Oleksik said. “We never got to have a game in front of the entire school before. So we felt that everybody should get a chance to show out for their school and show out their abilities on the court.”
Mullins and Boyd did much more than simply enjoy the moment.
Mullins opened the second set with an ace and quickly settled into directing the offense, repeatedly putting hitters in position to finish points. Boyd supplied steady passing, swung from the right side and later delivered an ace of her own as Warren County continued pulling away.
The Lady Pioneers never allowed the intensity to dip. With Mullins and Boyd helping guide the younger group, Warren County rolled to a 25-12 victory in the second set before the regular varsity rotation returned to finish a dominant three-set sweep.
Friday could have simply been a nod of the cap to two seniors who have handled difficult roles the right way - Mullins and Boyd made it more than that. Both took turns running the offense, bringing energy from the service line and adding some outside hitting too. Most importantly, they did what Blalock has trusted them to do all season: lead.
