Davidson-Davie volleyball team earns spot in NJCAA Tournament in Iowa
THOMASVILLE– The Davidson-Davie STORM Volleyball team is headed to the national stage for the first time as a D2 school in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. The tournament will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Nov. 19-22; the STORM takes on Sauk Valley on Nov. 19.
With an overall record of 32-5, the volleyball team has been climbing the NJCAA ladder throughout the season – first becoming the D2 Region X Champions, beating Cape Fear Community College and Fayetteville Tech on Nov. 1, then securing the NJCAA Southeast A District Champion title on Nov. 7, defeating Cleveland State Community College.
Led by Head Coach Emma Carter and Assistant Coach Katelyn DeVane – both in their second season coaching the STORM, the team committed to a set of goals and have been working toward that vision with full force. “I began assembling this recruiting class in August of 2024, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them carry out the vision we set in place,” Carter explains. “The difference this year is the team’s collective mindset and maturity. They came in on the first day with a shared purpose. There has been a noticeable ‘extra’ element in the way they approach the game.”
And as they approach their match on Wednesday against a higher seeded team – Sauk Valley is seeded 15; the STORM is seeded 18, the players and coaches realize they have work to do. That brings to mind some special moments during the season where the team pulled through in tough times. “One moment that stands out the most to me was our match against Richard Bland. We were down 10-21 in the fourth set, and a lot of teams would have folded in that situation,” Carter says. “They fought their way back and won the set to win the match. It was a turning point in our season and a true reflection of the heart of this team.”
Tournament play involves a lot of preparation, trust and embracing pressure, Carter adds. “This first trip to the D2 National Tournament is incredibly special. Of course we want to win matches, but more than that, my hope is that the team steps onto this stage with confidence and soaks in the experience they’ve earned.”
Athletics Director Matt Ridge notes how incredible the chemistry is amongst the players. “They are obviously very talented, but just as important, they are connected and they have one heartbeat,” Ridge says. “They have done a fantastic job of staying mentally loose in the post season and refuse to allow this pressure to influence their play on the court.”
What’s more, Ridge adds, “It’s extremely impressive that Coach Carter and Coach DeVane have accomplished this in just their second year at Davidson-Davie. Our coaching staff has been very intentional to encourage our players to play with supreme confidence – especially in the post-season.”
Carter says the team is prepped and ready – and excited about the next step. For the coaches and the team, though, she is focusing on reminding them to stay true to who they are. “Yes, the stage is bigger, but the game doesn’t change,” Carter adds. “Overall, we want to represent our program with pride and show that we belong on this national stage.”
Davidson-Davie Community College(www.DavidsonDavie.edu), which incorporated Davie County into its name in 2021, is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to four-year schools. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, Davidson-Davie is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields.
