Weaver, AL – Honored that Southern Union assistant coach fought for her, Weaver’s Hatten-Rivera signs to play volleyball for the Bison.
By Joe Medley
Jadey Hatten-Rivera hopes to prove as a college setter that “wild cards” can be winners, too.
A Southern Union assistant coach played her wild card to convince her boss to sign Hatten-Rivera, and the boss listened. The Weaver senior made it official Tuesday, signing to play for the Bison.
Hatten-Rivera got her chance to show out at a camp run by Southern Union assistant coach Regina Smith. Her boss, Bison head coach, Ametrice Jackson, wasn’t present and didn’t see Hatten-Rivera play.
Smith had the leeway to play one wild card when it came to decide on whom to offer, and Jackson listened.
Hatten-Rivera chose Southern Union over an offer from Bevill State and will team with Alexandria’s McKinley Cooper, who also will sign with Southern Union today.
Hatten-Rivera called it a “really tough decision,” but appreciated how much Smith fought for her.
“She was able to see me, and she talked about how she has a wild card each year,” Hatten-Rivera said. “Coach Jackson was kind of iffy on whether she wanted to offer me or not, and Coach Smith was like, ‘No, she’s good,’ and so she used her wild card on me.
“It was one girl that, say, Coach Smith agreed on me, but Coach Jackson didn’t, so she was able to use the wild card on me. I was really grateflul.”
Hatten-Rivera helped Weaver finish as an area runner up and reach the North Regional as a senior. She finished the season with 94 aces, 106 kills, 444 assists and 165 digs.
“She is an all-around player,” Weaver coach Eboney Lewis said. “She can pass, she can hit, she can set. She’s our number-one server, as far as her serving percentage.
“Over the years, she’s been that core player that you have on your team.”
