High school is over for Ashley Hughes, who now sets her sights on college and continuing her volleyball career at Auburn University of Montgomery.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Hughes said. “I knew I wanted to keep playing volleyball and AUM offered my major.”

Although she played many sports Straughn, Hughes said that volleyball was her favorite.

“I had played everything else and just wanted to try something different,” Hughes said. “I was in seventh grade and I thought I would try volleyball. I just fell in love it, I guess you could say.”

Hughes received offers to play at other schools, but chose to walk on at AUM.

“I had full offers from Jeff Davis and another community college, and partial scholarships from Faulkner and Huntingdon,” Hughes said. “AUM told me that I could walk on and they offered the major that I want to pursue.”

During the tryouts, Hughes said that she went up against some tough competition.

“When I got to the tryouts, it was me and transfers from other colleges,” Hughes said. “It was kind of intimidating because here I am fresh out of high school and I’m going up against girls that have been playing in college for a couple of years. I was able to hold my own, and it was very exciting when the coach told me that I made the team.”

Hughes said that they have been doing their summer workouts and will report to school on Aug. 10.

“I’m excited about getting the college experience,” Hughes said. “I’m looking forward to going up against talented college athletes.”

Hughes plans to earn a degree in biology health science. After graduating from AUM, she plans to pursue a medical degree at UAB.