Hellcats revolves around Marti, a pre-law college student at Lancer College in Memphis, Tennessee, who comes from the wrong side of town. When budget cutbacks and her mother's carelessness cause her to lose her scholarship, she is forced to look for a new one. She overhears that one of the college cheerleaders has become injured, and a place on the team is available. Seeing no other option, Marti uses her previous gymnastic training to try out for a spot on the team, and a chance to get the scholarship that comes with it.[12] After the team coach and captain see the potential for adding something new and different to the team in her, Marti makes it onto the Hellcats, the college's competitive cheerleading team.