Cleveland State Community College’s volleyball team saw the return of head coach Peyton McDaniel last night in Morristown. McDaniel, a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force Reserves, had been deployed in Iraq since April 2025. Her return comes ahead of the TCCAA Championship Tournament, where the team will compete at Walters State Community College. The team is currently undefeated in conference play (12-0) and has a 22-2 overall record.
During her deployment, McDaniel stayed involved with the team. She watched games via live stream and communicated with players through FaceTime. She also managed logistics, travel, and virtual film sessions from overseas. The team has acknowledged her service by wearing camouflage gear during warm-ups and making hand gestures when she is announced as coach.
Nolan McDaniel, Peyton’s brother, has served as assistant coach during her absence. He attributes the team’s success to Peyton’s recruiting and focus on team culture. He says the team’s connection to Peyton is important, especially during moments like the national anthem…