NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School senior Grayson Bryant had was practically dragged on to the soccer team one year ago, according to head coach Dennis Hogue.

Now, as one of the team’s nine seniors, Cathedral’s head coach said she is a team staple.

“She might be the most polite and easy-going person on the team,” Hogue said. “She thinks, because she’s new to the game, she has to make sure she’s doing everything right. She’s fun to have around, witty, and we’re lucky to have her.”

Bryant, who said she is originally a basketball player, was encouraged to try out last year when Cathedral switched from MHSAA to MAIS.

Prior to that, Bryant had to choose basketball over soccer because the seasons overlapped.

“Before, I couldn’t play because it ran together with basketball season, and you can’t play two sports at once,” Bryant said. “It’s also been a great way to stay in shape during the offseason.”

Hogue said Bryant’s athleticism showed in her first practice, and her relatively tall stature makes her a natural defender.

But it wasn’t easy, he said, to convince her she had the makings of a key role player for the Lady Green Wave.

“She’s one of those players who has good abilities but not as much confidence,” Hogue said. “She’s tall, and they had to twist her arm … Then she came out, and she was a natural.”

Hogue said Bryant’s attentiveness and desire to perform makes her one of the easiest players to mold.

“She also might be the most coachable,” Hogue said. “She is one of the few who I have to ask for her attention … She asks if she did the right thing, and I want her to put that behind her. She doesn’t need that approval.”

After her first season, Bryant said, she had no doubt she would return for a second year as a senior.

“I liked it a lot, and I wish I could have started sooner,” Bryant said. “I love this team. They’re so much fun to play with, and there’s a great bond between all of us.”

In her final year at Cathedral, Bryant hopes to attend Ole Miss in 2017 and looks forward to making memories in her final season with the Lady Green Wave soccer and basketball teams.

“I just want to have as much fun as possible while it lasts,” Bryant said.