Poplarville High School slowpitch and fastpitch softball teams added a familiar face after hiring Janessa Dedeaux as an assistant coach.

Dedeaux graduated from Poplarville High School in 2010 and was a key player in the 2009 State Championship team, said Head Slowpitch Softball Coach Ryan Jackson.

“I am happy to be in my hometown again. To be able to give back to this program means the world to me and I am grateful to be here and help the girls win a championship,” said Dedeaux.

The 24-year-old Poplarville native has a passion for softball. Dedeaux’s love for the game came from being surrounded by friends involved in sports and family members like her grandfather, who played basketball at Pearl River Community College.

Dedeaux followed her grandfather’s footsteps and went on to play at PRCC after high school and then after that, played for William Carey University. She also coached there for two years.

While coaching, Dedeaux helped lead WCU to a NAIA World Series, which was the beginning of her new adventure.

“After the NAIA, I knew I wanted to pursue coaching. I had thoughts of getting into the medical field but I love being around the sport. I don’t feel like I am working a single day when I’m on the field,” said Dedeaux.

Her passion grew while coaching at WCU. After two years, she decided to come back to her hometown.

“I have a passion to not only teach young girls how to play, but how to grow up and be prepared for the real world. I strive to make them better people each day and if I can do that, I believe I have done my job,” said Dedeaux.

She defines her coaching style as “disciplinary and assertive” and leads by example. Dedeaux claimed that she is best known for focusing on the small things like hustling on and off the field.

“It’s the small things that make big things happen. I was coached that way and I want to continue that message because I feel it was a huge part of the 2009 championship team mentality. I have been very fortunate to have great coaches throughout my playing career and I take a little from each of them and try to apply it to the way I coach today,” said Dedeaux.

She added that she knows what it takes to get to the next level, and hopes to teach that to her players so they can pursue their dreams of playing on the collegiate level.