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It all started on the softball fields in Magee when Jaliya Sullivan was just five years old.
Now, years of hard work, countless practices, home runs and championships have led Jaliya to an exciting new chapter — she has committed to continue her softball career at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Jaliya, the daughter of Justin Sullivan and Kenjeral Floyd, is currently an 11th grader and plays softball for Northwest Rankin High School.
For those in Magee who remember Jaliya from her younger days, her success is especially exciting. She got her start playing Magee Youth Sports and later became a member of the Magee All Stars.
When Jaliya was only eight years old, she and her cousin were part of a Magee All Star team that had quite a run. The girls won District and State championships before advancing to the World Series, where they finished third.
And Jaliya kept playing.
She played varsity softball at Simpson Academy as a seventh grader before moving to Flowood and joining the Northwest Rankin softball program in the eighth grade.
Jaliya quickly became part of one of Mississippi’s most successful high school softball programs. She was a member of Northwest Rankin’s championship teams during her eighth- and ninth-grade years, helping the Lady Cougars capture back-to-back state championships.
Now in the 11th grade, Jaliya continues to make a name for herself at the plate and in the field. She was selected as a Rising Star by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and put her power on display this past June by winning the Home Run Derby after hitting an incredible 30 home runs.
Third base is Jaliya’s favorite position, although she can also play first base.
Her 2026 season numbers show just how much she has continued to develop. Jaliya led Northwest Rankin with a .457 batting average, 10 home runs and 40 RBIs, along with an impressive .902 slugging percentage.
But for folks around Magee, there is something particularly special about seeing where this journey began.
Before Northwest Rankin, before the championships, before the home runs and before Southern Miss came calling, there was a five-year-old little girl learning to play softball right here in Magee.
Now that little girl is headed toward Division I college softball.
Congratulations, Jaliya! Magee we will certainly be cheering for you as you continue your journey to Southern Miss.
MageeNews.com is the source of news and views for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi
