HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Catawba Valley Community College announced the signing Tuesday of two volleyball players from Alexander Central High.
The Red Hawks’ first two signees for their 2018 signing class are Chesney Millsaps and Kelsea DeJarnette of the Cougars. Both signed on Monday, a CVCC press release said.
DeJARNETTE
“We are so excited to add Chesney and Kelsea to our fall 2018 roster,” CVCC head volleyball coach Shannon Hudson said in the release. “Both athletes bring size and strength to the net for us.
“It’s great to be able to bring in local talent who have been involved in our Red Hawk(s) volleyball events and camps for years. We already feel like Chesney and Kelsea are part of the family.”
Playing both middle hitter and right side during at Alexander Central, Millsaps tallied 184 kills, 77 blocks, 35 digs and 19 assists as a senior.
Millsaps enjoyed the wide variety of positives CVCC had to offer her, which led to her signing with the Red Hawks.
“The campus was very friendly,” Millsaps said. “The coaches are very friendly and have good attitudes. They are always nice. They greet you with a hug. They always have smiles on their faces, and they always put a smile on yours. They are always positive. CVCC was nice all around.”
MILLSAPS
Playing outside hitter for the past two seasons at Alexander Central, DeJarnette finished her career with the Cougars with 163 kills, 26 assists, 38 blocks and 154 digs.
A key reason why DeJarnette signed with CVCC was because of the Red Hawks coaching staff.
“I loved the facilities, and I love the coaches,” DeJarnette said. “The coaches have great attitudes. I just feel like they are really going to help me when I get to where I can play for them.
“I know they are a great people, and they are willing to help me. They were just so nice to me when I came to their camps.
“It was a really great experience, especially with the girls, too.”
With DeJarnette and Millsaps as leaders, Alexander Central went 17-8 overall and 10-4 in Northwestern 3A-4A this season. That included reach the second round of the state 3A playoffs.
Both signees have also played club volleyball together for Carolina Select under coach Ally Greer, and they’ve played volleyball together since middle school.
Alexander Central head volleyball coach Leslie Herwig believes the strong bond between the players and friends will help them excel at CVCC.
“They bring work ethic, they bring strength and they bring power,” Herwig said. “They bring a special bond between each other on the court being that they are best friends.
“They’ll work all year round to become a better player. That’s a really special quality they both have.”
At CVCC, Millsaps plans to pursue her associate degree in nursing, while DeJarnette plans to pursue an associated degree in radiology.
— Reported by CVCC Sports Information