When Christy Bush began playing volleyball in sixth grade, she had no idea that one day she would make history.

In fact, after her Ridgeland Lady Panthers wrapped up a successful 2002 campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Class AAAA state tournament, the highest finish for any team in school history, Bush thought her playing days were over.

Instead, the 5-foot-10 senior hitter signed scholarship papers on Friday to become one of the first volleyball players in the history of Reinhardt College.

“I first thought about playing in college my freshman year of high school,” Bush said. “But by the time my season year got here, I didn’t think I’d be tall enough to play in college. I was planning on going to school at West Georgia.”

But one phone call changed Bush’ plans on a dime.

“I got a phone call from Reinhardt asking if we had any senior players that would be interested in playing,” recalled Ridgeland head coach Lori Massengill. “When I called Christy down to my room she thought she was in trouble.”

Instead she found out about an opportunity of a lifetime. Another phone call and a couple trips to Reinhardt later and Bush was offered scholarships for academics and volleyball.

“I had went down there for an academic competition,” explained Bush who is 29th in her class with a 91 grade average. “They invited me back for a recruiting visit for volleyball and offered me the scholarships then. It’s beautiful right there at the foot of the mountains. The people was really nice, polite and informative.”

Bush, a class officer, an International Club officer and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and the Art Club at Ridgeland, is considering studying education or art at Reinhardt.

Southeast Whitfield standout Julie Wright will also be on the inaugural Reinhardt squad and will room with Bush at school starting in the fall.

“I’m really excited about being a part of history at Reinhardt,” Bush said. “That part really appealed to me.”

While at Ridgeland, Bush was part of one of the most successful classes in the tradition-filled history of the Lady Panthers program.

Bush’ teams went 82-35 (.701 winning percentage) and advanced to the state tournament three out of four years. In her senior year, Ridgeland went 33-9 and went through the region schedule unbeaten.

They placed second in the Region 7-AAAA tournament and finished the year ranked sixth in Class AAAA, the highest ranking ever for a Ridgeland team.

Bush, co-captain of the 2002 team, had 83 kills and 165 service points, including 50 aces. She also racked up 39 blocks. For her career, Bush finished with 232 kills, 72 blocks and 60 aces.

“Christy was a quiet leader, but she helped me as much as anyone,” Massengill said. “She led by her actions which to me are just as important. She’s self-motivated and her brain is the strongest part of her game. She totally typifies the term ‘student-athlete’.”

Bush said she will miss the familiarity she has had with the Ridgeland program from its coaches to other teammates that she has grown up with.

“I have many good memories of Ridgeland,” she added. “I’m very lucky to have played in a school with such a strong volleyball program. Playing with people like Heather Taylor and Leslie Gant was awesome. They were so good that helped me become a better player.”

“This season was an awesome way to finish off high school, but I’m super excited about starting something new