On Saturday, November 8, 2008, the Greensboro Sportsplex in Greensboro, NC was booming with talent of senior volleyball players from across North Carolina. Each conference had the opportunity to showcase its outstanding seniors in one last high school event.This year there was a total of 30 conferences competing, the largest in the past two years. The tournament was set up so each team played two 25-point games, with no third game tie breaker within their pool. The showcase allowed college coaches and recruiters to watch these talented young ladies in action against the best of the best. Some took the time to speak with the athletes to garner their interests in the college they represented.
“Each year there is more and more interest in the showcase from each conference,” stated Trevor Hewitt, director of the Sportsplex Volleyball Club. “First I want to thank Omega Sports and Crocs for making the event a success! Also Alps Screen-printing did another great job on the shirts! Without the help of Omega Sports, who sponsored the event for the second straight year, this event would not be possible. Secondly, I want to thank all the conference coaches who took the time to answer all my emails, and really buy in and support this event. It is these coaches who really take the necessary steps to get their conferences to select a team and then get to the Greensboro Sportsplex for the all-star festival, and give up their Saturdays to coach in the event.”
The Western Highlands Conference, comprised of Avery, Hendersonville, Madison, Mitchell, Mountain Heritage, Owen, and Polk High Schools, had the opportunity to have ten very talented seniors represent our conference this year.
Avery was represented by libero Rachel Buchanan and outside hitter/ right side hitter Katie Ellis. Madison was represented by outside hitter Laurel Gregg. From Mountain Heritage came outside hitter Lacey Blevins, right side hitter/ setter Alli Huskins, defensive specialist Carleigh Fox, and middle blockers Courtney Huskins and Landrie Fox. Polk sent setter Kaitlin Franks and middle blocker/outside hitter Denise Edwards.
The coaches this year were head coach Becky Morris, assisted by Ivy Gregg, both from Madison High School. The team was fortunate to have two workouts on Sunday afternoons in order to prepare for the event.
“The workouts gave us the opportunity to play as one and to be successful against our competition this past Saturday,” explained Coach Morris. The work paid off as the team went 3-1-1 against teams from 1A, 3A, and 4A conferences. They swept the Super Six 1A Conference (Team A), Queen City 3A/4A Conference (Team A & Team B), split with the Greater Neuse River 4A Conference team, and lost to the MECA 7 4A Conference team.
“The girls did an amazing job. They did not let the bigger size school conferences intimidate them. They stay focused, concentrated on the task at hand, and played as a team. They represented our conference with great pride,” boasted Coach Morris.
Katie Ellis of Avery High School did a remarkable job switching back and forth between outside hitter and right side hitter. Katie, who is being recruited already by Lenior-Rhyne College and Lees-McRae College, was approached on Saturday by Montreat College recruiters about her outstanding playing ability as well. She is also interested in attending Appalachian State and The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
“Katie possesses the ability, mechanics, and the leadership to contribute wonderfully to any coach’s program at the collegiate level. I enjoyed coaching her through the all-star event,” stated Coach Morris. Katie capped the day off with 36 service points, 10 aces, two assists, 16 kills, 12 digs, and two blocks.
Rachel Buchanan, also of Avery High School, did an excellent job as our lead libero. The libero is a designated back-row player, intended to be used as a ball-control specialist. Rachel is considering Appalachian State, Wake Forest University, and East Tennessee State to continue her education.
“She might have been the smallest player on the team, but don’t let her size fool you!” Coach Morris stated. “She moves with ease and grace. She possesses range on the court and excellent ball control. No matter how hard or how soft the ball was hit, she recovered it and held her own against the overpowering teams we faced. She was a great asset to our team and did a wonderful job.” Rachel finished the day with two service points and 15 digs.
Congratulations to the senior class of 2009 all-stars who represented the Western Highlands Conference with such greatness and achieved so much.
