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[Sonny Dearth]

She holds court in all seasons

Volleyball is one of York senior Carlie Hampton’s three sports.

By Hugh Spain/Correspondent

Carlie Hampton, a senior middle hitter on the York High girls volleyball team, not only plays three varsity sports, she’s pretty good in all three — volleyball, basketball and tennis.
"The most remarkable thing about her is that she only plays volleyball three months out of the year, and I consider her one of the best middle hitters in the Bay Rivers District," said Sharon Grunthaner, York’s head volleyball coach.

Q. What will be the greatest challenge for York (3-1) to succeed in a strong district this season?

A. We really need to work as a team. ... Most of the players have not played on a varsity level, so they need to grow into their new positions.

Q. What part of volleyball do you enjoy most?

A. I absolutely love the front row. ... Hitting and blocking brings so much adrenaline and excitement to the game. It changes the momentum of your team’s attitude and game.

Q. What motivates you to play a varsity sport each season?

A. When I entered high school, I didn’t want to be one of those kids who comes home every day and watches TV for nine hours. I love the competition — it brings out the true character in you.

Q. Tennis, volleyball and basketball each require good footwork and hand-eye coordination. What else do you find similar about these sports?

A. Volleyball and tennis are much alike because of the constant net work they require. Basketball and volleyball are similar in the sense of anticipation and quick reflexes. Blocking a ball in volleyball has the same thrill and excitement as blocking a shot in basketball. ... They complement each other on court sense.

Q. Which of these sports, if any, do you look forward to the most, and why?

A. Basketball has always been a lot of fun for me, but this year I was looking forward to volleyball. I had Coach Grunthaner my freshman year (on the JV team), and she did so much for that team and influenced the love I have for the game.

Q. How much, or how little, down time do you have for academics and other hobbies?

A. I usually don’t have much time on the weekdays because of games and practices, but it’s all about how you plan your schedule. As long as I handle getting my schoolwork done, I have some spare time on the weekends.

Q. What are your plans after high school — and do they include sports?

A. I’m planning on attending college next year, and see myself playing a sport. I would love to play basketball or volleyball. A few colleges have showed interest in me to play for their college, but I have not made any decisions yet. Sports will be a part of my life, either on a varsity team or a club organization.

Q. Who are your favorite athletes?

A. I love the hard-hitting power of tennis player Venus Williams. Dwyane Wade has an amazing court sense in basketball. Misty May and Kerri Walsh are so intense when playing beach volleyball.

Q. Who are your most important influences off the courts?

A. My friends and family are supportive of everything I do — and will always be there for me in life, not just at the games.

Q. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

A. The future is a scary thing; it’s hard to imagine where I’ll be working or who I will be with. I can’t even decide on a college major. I will most likely be at a job I enjoy, working with animals and giving back to the community.

The Hampton file

NAME: Carlie Hampton.

AGE: 17.

POSITION/SPORT: Middle hitter/volleyball.

SCHOOL: York.

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6 feet, 170 pounds.

HOBBIES: Movies, music, hanging with friends.

VOLLEYBALL STATS: 15 aces, 41 kills, 6 blocks, 22 digs.

TENNIS STATS: 9-0 at No. 4 singles, second-team all district; played on York’s No. 1 doubles team, finishing 7-4 with Anna Kiggins and losing in district tourney semis.
BASKETBALL STATS: 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks per game.

[volleynut1]

Congrats to Carlie on nicely presented article. One half of a talented volleyball family, to bad she doesn't have her sister back this year.....would help York tremendously. However, with a new coach Carlie will help York move forward and up in the Bay Rivers.

[keltamiko]

Carlie is certainly a strong presence in our team this year. She is a definite leader and extremely emotional in the heat of the game. She is also one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet.

Coach Grunthaner, myself and the York Volleyball program are lucky to have her.


Coach Dreyfuss

[sfisher]

Serve and volley...'nuff said.
S. Fisher
Tennis