Chloe Hendrix Signs with Freed-Hardeman

Holcomb’s Chloe Hendrix sits with family, teammates, coaches and friends as she signs her letter of intent to play volleyball at Freed-Hardeman University.

Photo by Kaelin Triggs, Delta Dunklin Democrat.

HOLCOMB, Mo. - As her friends and family began to fill Holcomb’s gym, Chloe Hendrix felt a rush of gratitude.

She sat down at the table, covered in Freed-Hardeman gear and asscorries, prepared to sign her letter of intent.

Seated beside her was Hendrix’s future mentor and coach, Amanda Bretherick.

“I honestly chose this school because of her [Bretherick],” Hendrix said. “I went to their camp and I saw she knew what she was talking about and she was going to be someone who is caring and a good fit for my personality too.”

Hendrix is exiting a successful high school volleyball career. She has led her team to three back-to-back district titles during her four years at Holcomb.

Last season, after winning their second District Championship, Hendrix was a finalist for the Semoball Awards Volleyball Player of the Year. She finished her 2023 season with 233 kills, 84 aces and 414 digs. This year, she exceeded those marks playing as the team’s middle hitter.

This was only Hendrix’s second year playing this position for the Hornets.

Chloe Hendrix puts down a kill in the final home game of her high school career at Holcomb.

Photo by Kaelin Triggs, Delta Dunklin Democrat.

In her senior campaign, Hendrix had 324 kills, leading the Holcomb to a 23-11-1 record.

In those three seasons, winning three District titles, Hendrix recorded 685 kills, 188 aces and 1,189 digs.

Hedrix’s work in the back row defensively as well as her versatility caught Bretherick’s eyes during Freed-Hardeman’s volleyball camp.

“I feel like she could be a very strong back-row player for us,” Bretherick said. “But also, we don’t have any lefties right now, so I love the idea of having her as a leftie attacker as well. I think we can plug her in multiple positions on our team and that was valuable to me. I could see she does have strength in many areas.”

Getting recruited by Bretherick and Freed-Hardeman’s volleyball program opened Hendrix’s eyes.

As her college volleyball dreams come true, she found new self-confidence in her athletic abilities as a volleyball player.

“I feel like this is a sense of verification,” Hendrix said. “I am good enough to play at this level. Everyone has that self-doubt so this feels like a sigh of relief to think, ‘I actually did it.’”

Along with Hendrix’s strengths on the court, Bretherick said Hendrix’s demeanor would be very impactful to her current roster.

“I liked the way she carries herself,” Bretherick said. “She carries herself with confidence and she plays that way. I think that’s valuable on the court, especially in volleyball because it is such a mental game. She will be a good asset to our team.”