GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Volleyball setter Emma Heard signs a volleyball scholarship with Andrew College on Thursday as her coaches and parents look on. In front, along with the volleyball, is the No. 3 jersey she will wear with Andrew College. Shown are: front row, left to right, Heard and Grace volleyball coach Erwin Harrell; back row, left to right, Andrew College volleyball coach Lisa O’Connor, Heard’s mother Joanna Heard, and Heard’s father Darryl Heard.

Emma Heard, the starting senior setter for coach Erwin Harrell’s Grace Christian Academy Lady Cougars volleyball team, signed a volleyball scholarship Thursday with the Andrew College Fighting Tigers, of Cuthbert, Ga.

Looking on as Heard signed in the school library were Harrell, Andrew College volleyball coach Lisa O’Connor, and Heard’s parents, Joanna and Darryl Heard.

Harrell described Heard, who has been playing volleyball since she was in the sixth grade, as very competitive.

“I have been coaching Emma for five years and she always plays with a high desire and intensity,” he said. “She gives 110 percent and is a great team leader for us.”

O’Connor said she was impressed with Heard’s quickness and knowledge of the game.

“Emma is very quick and she has been well-founded in volleyball fundamentals,” she said. “She is also a very good student, which is important because we will be traveling a lot around Georgia and Florida playing matches.

“Our Andrew volleyball program is new, so Emma will be there to help lay the foundation for it.”