Shauna Cook
The Corsair
No, you’re not seeing double this year on the volleyball court. It’s actually the Guidry sisters, sophomore Emily and freshman Sarah. And if they look familiar, their sister Jessica played here in 2008-2009. When Sarah graduates next year, the event will mark five years straight with a Guidry on the volleyball team.
“I wanted to follow in Jessica’s footsteps,” Emily said.
“And I wanted to follow in Emily’s,” Sarah said.
Growing up, the sisters were inspired by one another and instead of being competitive towards one another, they supported, motivated, and encouraged each other.
“My girls always stuck by each other growing up. They never went against each other,” said father David Guidry.
The Guidry’s grew up with other talents than volleyball. They played basketball and softball in middle school. Emily played her last softball game her freshman year of high school and turned her focus mainly on volleyball.
“We’ve always told each other not to let our talent go to waste. We wanted to do something with our lives and make something of ourselves,” Sarah said. “We played volleyball year round in camps and Jessica really influenced us to put our focus into volleyball so we did.”
Jessica was a libero when she played for PSC, Emily is a middle blocker and Sarah is an outside hitter.
Jessica graduated from PSC in 2009 and went on to play volleyball at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala. She is majoring in Kinesiology and will graduate in 2012.
“We are so proud of our sister,” Emily said.
Jessica was recruited by then volleyball coach Pete Pena in 2008. He also recruited Emily in 2010.
“We had a situation where we thought this would be a good fit for Jessica and a good fit for the college,” Pena said. “We got a quality player, quality student, and a great kid.”
Emily plans to attend the University of Florida next year. She is majoring in general studies and bio-chemistry.
“I want to focus more on my education when I go to Florida so I probably won’t continue to play volleyball,” Emily said.
When Emily was recruited in 2010, the college was in the process of changing the name from Pensacola Junior College to Pensacola State College. Emily was among the first group to play for Pensacola State College.
“It was cool and felt good to be in the first group to play for PSC,” Emily said.
At that time Pena stepped down as volleyball coach to be the head coach of the men’s basketball team and Chris Laird stepped in to be head volleyball coach.
“I was okay with not playing for Pena even though he recruited me and Jessica, I just wanted to play volleyball,” Emily said.
Sarah was recruited by Laird in 2011 and got to play her freshman year on the same team with her sister Emily.
“It feels good to play on the same team with her,” Sarah said. “We are inseparable.”
So inseparable, Sarah and Emily share an apartment off campus.
Sarah is a freshman this year majoring in general studies. Her Sophomore year she wants to study health science.
When Emily graduates, Sarah will be here to play her Sophomore year alone.
“I’ll be okay because I’ve made some really good friends on the team,” Sarah said.
Emily and Sarah keep in touch with Jessica and went to her volleyball game when Montevallo played UWF in September.
“They lost to UWF but Jessica played very well,” Emily said.
Jessica wore the No.10 jersey when she played at the college and Emily chose No. 10 as well.
“I don’t know why she had my number because 10 has always been my number,” Emily said.
David Guidry attends all their games, both home and away. He shows his support but tends to stand next to the bleachers and out of their view so his daughters don’t get nervous.
“We are happy to see our dad at our games, we are a close family,” Emily said.
David Guidry is more than proud of his daughters for all of their accomplishments.
“I knew when they were young they each had something special to offer someone,” he said.
Sarah is definitely proud of both of her sisters and hopes to follow their footsteps.
“Keep your head up and play hard,” said Emily. (Her advice to Sarah)
Emily was the Sept. Select Player of the Month.
“I knew she had it in her,” said Sarah. “I’m proud of her.”
The sister’s biggest inspiration is each other.
“We’ve always been real close and inspired one another by what one of us did,” said Sarah.
Each sister has her own unique talent and it shows on the court. Sarah tops the team in aces and kills with 45 aces and 225 kills this season. Emily tops the team with 67 blocks this season. Jessica topped with 537 digs her Freshman year and 729 digs her Sophomore year.
“I think Sarah is the most talented,” Pena said. “I think all three of them have a high volleyball IQ. As for the gifts bestowed on them, Sarah has been bestowed with a little more athletic ability.”
All three sisters’ are very shy and quiet but on the court they have what it takes to win.
“They are all great kids,” Pena said. “I believe PSC has certainly been the beneficiary of having these three sisters’ here.”