Cass' Audrey Nix signs to play soccer at Truett-McConnell
by David Royal
Audrey Nix will be moving from the Cass High soccer fields to those at Truett-McConnell College after she finishes her high school career in the spring.
Nix, a starter since her freshman year at Cass, signed with the Bears in a Thursday ceremony at Cass High and in the fall will attend Truett-McConnell, where her next coach hopes she will make an immediate contribution to the program.
Nix, who began playing soccer at age 7, said she participates in the sport because it is fun.
"It's something I've always found enjoyable," she said.
The Cass star plays in the midfield for her team and said it is a big responsibility.
"Being in the midfield, you're in on a lot of the action," she said. "You get to defend, and you also get to shoot. It's a lot of running, and it pushes you to be good."
Nix said the game is fun for a lot of reasons.
Playing defense, she said, "let's you be aggressive. It's an outlet for when you have a rough day. You can take your anger out on the ball. I really focus on the ball when we play."
The Cass midfielder said she also gets in on offensive action from her position.
"I love the feeling when the ball leaves your foot, and you know it might go in," she said.
Nix said she is considering several majors as she gets her education at the college, including psychology, teaching and English.
David McDowell, the Bears coach, said Nix caught his eye with a tryout at the school and when he went to see her play with her travel team, West Metro Soccer Team, in October. He was initially contacted by coach John Zonin, head coach of West Metro Soccer, Nix's travel team, and she came to the school for a tryout.
"She was a very solid player," McDowell said. "I liked how often she found a way to possess the ball. Soccer is nonstop and she has a willingness to sacrifice herself to possess the ball. She has good vision on the field."
McDowell said she also has other attributes he wants, noting he looks not only at an athletes' playing skills but also for someone who will be a good addition to the program.
"Her character is good and her personality is such I believe she will be a good fit at Truett-McConnell. She's a good fit in every way."
McDowell said Nix will have a chance to make a quick contribution because his team lost six seniors to graduation.
"Normally a freshman comes in and kind of works her way to where she contributes, but we're expecting more out of Audrey because we're kind of reloading," McDowell said. "If she gels with the team, we could see her making a good impact right off the bat."
Nix said she liked what she found at the college. "Instantly I felt at home with the team. I had fun at my tryout."
West Metro's Zonin said Truett-McConnell is getting a good soccer player as well as a person of high character.
"She puts a lot of hard work into her game and never gives up," Zonin said. "She is very coachable. She listens and tries to do what you ask. She does everything you need a player to do. She's a coach's dream, really."
The Lady Colonels' Phillips said Nix has made an important contribution to his program in several positions.
"She's been the assist leader on the team the last three years — with a total of 25 — and she's scored six goals in two years," he said.
Phillips said she began as center defender her freshman year, then was moved to the midfield her sophomore year.
"She anchored our center midfield position last season, where she was very comfortable," he said. "She observes the field and knows where her outlet passes should go. She's also very good at reading defenses and knows how to find the open player."
Phillips said although she is taking her game to the next level, Nix's contributions as Cass are not over.
"She's played for us the past three years and I'm looking forward to her senior year for us," he said. "She has a lot of experience. I think she'll be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season."
He added he has high expectations for her in college. "I also think she'll be a really good addition for coach McDowell at Truett-McConnell. She has a good work ethic and is always looking to improve on her skills. Grade wise, she has a 3.97 GPA."
###
David Royal is a sports writer at The Daily Tribune News in Cartersville, Ga.
