HICKORY, N.C. — Two sophomores and one freshman make up this year's 2018 Catawba Valley Community College volleyball captains, which were released by head volleyball coach Shannon Hudson this week.
Sophomores Emilee Webber and Emily Williams and freshman Macy Pope were voted by their teammates to serve as captains heading into the 2018 Red Hawk volleyball season, which starts Tuesday, Aug 28 in a home tri-match against Walters State and Spartanburg Methodist starting at 3 p.m.
"All three captains are servant leaders who want to help this young team grow together, and I'm honored to have such amazing leaders this fall," Hudson said.
Webber, a sophomore setter, was the team leader for the Red Hawks last fall in assists with 802. In 36 matches, Webber tallied 118 kills, 332 digs and a team-high 69 service aces.
"She's amazing," Hudson said of Webber. "She's a great leader. She was our starting setter last year, so she knows this game really well. She's taking that role and leading out there, especially on the offensive side of things. We actually voted for team captains last week, and she was the top vote-getter. The girls respect her. I think they appreciate her leadership style. She is always encouraging, and besides her phenomenal setting ability, that is one of her greatest assets."
A sophomore libero, Williams led the Red Hawks defensively last season with 721 digs, which were the second-most digs in a season in program history and also the most of any returning volleyball player in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II ranks.
Williams also had 54 aces and made 87 assists in 37 matches last fall.
"She's just commanding the defense and the serve receive," Hudson said of Williams. "We have her in the middle of serve receive as often as possible. Her passing numbers are off-the-chart good. Right now, they are better than any libero we've ever had, and we've had some amazing liberos. She's the quarterback of our defense. The girls respect her as a leader. Her serving game is really strong right now, too."
A freshman setter, Pope comes to Catawba Valley after a successful prep career at West Iredell High School, where she helped lead the Warriors to the 2A state championship match last fall.
She etched 922 assists (10.7 per set), 218 digs and 33 blocks during her senior season at West, helping them finish their season 27-4 overall and 14-0 in Northwestern Foothills conference play.
Pope signed with CVCC on Nov. 28, 2017 and enrolled early, playing for the Red Hawks this past spring.
"She's our second setter in our 6-2 (rotation)," Hudson said of Pope. "She'll come in rows four, five and six. She's doing a great job, too. She brings a different perspective that the other freshmen appreciate."
For a complete look at the Red Hawks 2018 fall roster, please click here.