Five seasons ago, a 6-foot-tall middle hitter named Carrie Hawkins blasted a powerful kill shot down the middle of a Carrollton court to score the first-ever point by any woman in any sport at Georgia Northwestern.

Now, Carrie Hawkins (Powell) is gearing up for another job in Cats Country.

Among the all-time stat leaders for Lady Bobcats volleyball, the Ridgeland High School and GNTC alum has signed on to coach the Lady Bobcats in NJCAA Division III play this fall.

“This is a real passion of mine and this is my college,” said Hawkins-Powell. “This opportunity has come along at just the right time of my life. I’m looking forward to doing this 110-percent.”

Most memorable from her college playing career with the Lady Bobcats were several upsets against Southeastern Conference club teams, including wins over the club teams from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Alabama, and near-misses against a handful of other big-name opponents made headlines during her playing days.

“I am confident that she’s the right choice for this job,” said GNTC Athletic Director David Stephenson. “To see a graduate of ours choose to come back to give back to the college is a pleasure for us. You can tell right away that she is in high gear.”

Hawkins-Powell served as coach of the Oakwood Christian High School volleyball team last fall, leading the seniorless Lady Eagles to the inaugural Southeastern Christian Athletic Conference championship.

When the Lady Bobcats take the court for the first time this season (Sept. 5), it will launch season the sixth year of intercollegiate competition for Georgia Northwestern.

In addition to women's volleyball, the college currently offers men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, and cheerleading on the collegiate varsity level.

Among some of the tougher regional competition for the Lady Bobcats this fall will be matches against Bryan College, Johnson University, Reinhardt University, Tennessee Temple, and Covenant College.

Volleyball tryouts will next take place on Aug. 8, 9, 15, 16, and 20. All sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Rossville Athletic Complex on Williams Street.

For more information GNTC Athletics, contact the Office of Sports Information at (706) 764-3813 or e-mail to dfoley@gntc.edu.