Kent Thornton gets down low to return a shot as teammate Shane McGregor gets set to back him up Saturday during the State Games of Mississippi 4-Person Volleyball tournament at Old John Moss Field.

Over the years, Scott Gray Jr has seen the State Games four-person volleyball tournament change venues more times that he can count. 

He recalls the days it was held at Meridian High School’s Ray Stadium, and also on the lush green fields in front of the school’s auditorium. Gray said his favorite venue, however, was the Lauderdale County Agri-Center, due to its covered pavilion. After all, it allowed him and others to ditch their sunscreen for the afternoon. 

While the venues over the years have changed, the popularity of State Games’ yearly four-person volleyball competition hasn’t. 

“Volleyball has its nooks and crannies all over the state,” Gray said. “All of these teams, even though (some are) not from here, they’re playing every weekend at their respective group areas. For us, State Games is an opportunity for them to also show up here and win bragging rights for the state for the year.” 

Gray counted among the many who flocked to Old John Moss Field Saturday to enjoy sand, sun and friendly competition at the State Games of Mississippi four-person volleyball tournament. 

Saturday marked the first time in five years that Scott Gray III competed in the four-person event. Once a fixture at the annual summer tournament,  Gray III’s obligations as a member of the United States Air Force have prevented him from attending as frequently as in years past. But he was welcomed by family and friends Saturday. 

“They’ve been playing ever since I was born, so the minute I could pass the ball back to them, they were like, ‘Good! Start him on volleyball,’” Gray III said with a laugh. “Ever since the age of four, I’d be passing the ball back with them. We used to play Mondays — indoor volleyball — and then finally when I got to the age of 11 or 12, they finally got me on the court, and that’s when I started. I’ve been loving it ever since.” 

Gray Jr has served as State Games’ volleyball commissioner for 27 years. For each of those years, Ken Turner has stood alongside him as a loyal friend. Volleyball brought the two men together three decades ago. Today, they consider each other family. 

“Our volleyball predates our kids — my son is his age,” Turner said, while motioning to Gray III. “I have a daughter the same age as his oldest daughter… We all grew up with it and everything, and every winter, when that sun is first peeking out and it’s going to be 70 degrees, you’re going to get a text asking if anybody wants to play ball today.” 

Underneath a tent a few feet from the Gray family and Turner, Mike Everett rested on a collapsible chair and looked on as his son, Doug Everett, and his teammate, Eric Shirley, hustled back and forth on their sand-covered square. Although Mike Everett doesn’t get to play these days, he fills the void by watching his son and his loyal teammate follow in his footsteps. 

“They’ve been playing since they were 15 or so years old,” Mike Everett said. “I got them started playing over at the First Baptist Church — they’d come over on Monday mornings and a bunch of men would be out there playing, and they’d beat them to death. But they got older, and they really control the game a lot.”