Montreat College Volleyball continued to build for the 2010 season and beyond as North Mecklenburg High School standout Lydia Hope Lowe signed this week to play for Head Coach Christine Mooberry's Cavaliers.  Lowe is 5'6" and will likely serve as a defensive specialist once she joins Montreat's squad, which set a record during the 2009 season for total match wins with a very young team.

Montreat College Head Volleyball Coach Christine Mooberry has announced the signing of
Hattie Lewis, who will join the Cavalier program for the 2010 season.  Lewis, the daughter of Ada and Tommy Lewis of Morganton, N.C., is finishing her senior year at Burke Middle College, a high school affiliated with Western Piedmont Community College.  

Mooberry anticipates an immediate and significant contribution from Lewis, who is 6'0" and plays along the front line.  "I see Hattie contributing as a middle blocker or on the right side.  Her height, quick arm-swing and blocking ability will be valuable, and she can help us run the offense."

In fact, Mooberry sees many virtues in Lewis that will strengthen a promising Cavaliers program.  "Hattie's personality makes her a perfect fit for this team.  She displays genuine humility, which will serve her well throughout her volleyball career because she doesn't think she's already arrived: she wants to grow and improve.  Plus, she's an excellent student coming from a challenging academic setting."

Lewis attracted attention from several programs but chose Montreat College for a variety of reasons, citing the "beautiful campus" and the friendly people: "When I visited Montreat, I knew it was where I was supposed to be: it's the perfect school for me.  I love to play volleyball because of the people I meet, and the women on the Montreat team are wonderful."

Lewis anticipates majoring in human services and looking at social work, case management, or counseling as a career choice, though she's excited about exploring many options when she arrives on campus.    

Mooberry is likewise excited about Lewis' arrival and the prospects for the team in 2010 and beyond.  The coach anticipates a very strong squad next year after her team set a school record for most victories in a season and finished with a 27-19 win-loss mark.

Montreat College Head Volleyball Coach Christine Mooberry has announced the signing of Bethany Hirz, who will join the Cavalier program for the 2010 season.  Hirz, a 5'1" libero, is the daughter of Pat and Sandy Hirz and is completing her senior year at Fred T. Foard High School in Newton, North Carolina, where she also played in an active club team environment.  

Hirz earned All-Conference honors in 2009 playing for Head Coach Roger Shield and the Foard Tigers of the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference, and her talents and attitude have Mooberry excited about the role she can play at Montreat: "I think Bethany will add energy and skill to the libero position; she excels at serve receive, covering the hitters, talking on defense, and hitting her zones when serving.  She also has great hands and has stepped in for the setter position when needed for her high school."

Mooberry's opinion of the recruit's character seems even more positive, as she says of Hirz: "Bethany is everything we would want in a Montreat College student athlete.  She demonstrates Christ on the court, in doing everything to the best of her ability.  I think she will add spiritual leadership to the team.  And she is a very solid and accomplished student as well."

Hirz is likewise inclined to talk about team, saying that she loves "volleyball because it's a team sport" and that her motivation is "knowing that there are five other athletes depending on" her to do her best.

When asked why she had chosen Montreat, Hirz was clear that she intends to embrace the college life and see where God might want to take her: "I believe God chose Montreat College for me because it's a place where I cannot only further my education but grow spiritually as well."  She will declare a major in Human Services and may explore missionary work.

Mooberry anticipates a very strong squad in 2010 after her team set a school record for most victories in a season and finished with a 27-19 win-loss mark and believes Hirz will have a significant position on that team: "She may be a small player," says Mooberry, "but no doubt she will make a big impact on the court."