Tharptown senior Jaiden Gaston has become the school’s first volleyball player to sign a scholarship. Gaston signed a volleyball scholarship with Pearl River Community College Sunday.

Gaston, a three-year starter for the Wildcats, was a force at the net and said she looks forward to playing at the next level.

“I have been working hard for this for a long time,” said Gaston. “I can’t wait to play volleyball in the fall at Pearl River. It is a dream come true for me.”

Kamri Fleming has coached Gaston for two years at Tharptown. She said she knew from the beginning Gaston would be a critical part of her program.

“I knew from the moment I arrived at Tharptown that Jaiden was going to be a huge asset to the program,” said Fleming. “At my first practice as head coach, she told me she had always been an outside hitter, but I told her I felt like she had all of the qualities to be a middle hitter. From that day forward, she took on the position as a middle hitter/blocker, and she thrived at it.

“Jaiden is long, athletic, and she loves the game of volleyball. Pearl River is lucky to have her.”

Gaston said she plans to pursue a career as an ultrasound technician.