High school graduation may be right around the corner, but Taylor Brinkley’s volleyball career is not coming to an end any time soon.

The Coffee County senior signed her national letter of intent Wednesday to continue her academic and athletic careers at Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Ga., where she will be a member of the volleyball team. Brinkley held the signing in the Coffee County Central High School library, with family, friends, coaches and teammates all in attendance.

“I’m really excited to play. The whole team is super nice,” Brinkley said. “I went and toured there, they’re really, super, super nice.”

The Chargers are led by head coach Jennie Belarmino and are a member of the NJCAA’s Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Brinkley will be joining a relatively new program, with the upcoming 2026 season being only its second.

Belarmino made a very positive impression on Brinkley during the recruiting process, which was another major factor in her decision to commit.

“The coach was very adamant on getting a response from me. She messaged my coach multiple times, she messaged me multiple times,” Brinkley said. “She said ‘I would really like if you came for a tour,’ and I said yeah of course. Then just getting the whole atmosphere, it’s a smaller school, which I like a lot more and everybody there is super, super nice. I just absolutely adore the coach.”

Off the court, Brinkley plans to study exercise science and pursue a career in physical therapy.

She added that she was thankful for her coaches and Lady Raider teammates for helping her reach the collegiate volleyball level.

“I really want to thank coach (Jon) Spears and coach Kiya (Ferrell). I moved here from Tullahoma and came in and they let me start,” Brinkley said. “Obviously I want to thank the whole team. They’re a very welcoming team.”