SANFORD — Central Carolina Community College Volleyball Coach Bill Carter said at the beginning of the 2021 volleyball season that his team may be the most skilled in his 13 years as coach.
The CCCC Cougars won six of their eight matches — and recently claimed the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region 10 regular season and tournament championship.
“From the outset of the season, our goal was to work as hard as possible in order to be prepared to be the best that we could be,” Carter said. “The 2020-2021 Cougar volleyball team is the most skilled and determined group that I have ever coached here at Central Carolina Community College.”
Carter praised all of the members of his team — including sophomore captains Grace McAllister (Shining Light Christian School, Raleigh) and Taylor Rosser (Western Harnett H.S., Broadway), who have led the team on and off the court. Mekenzie Harris (Grace Christian School, Sanford) and Breighanna Hobbs (Triton H.S., Coats) were strong on the offensive front, while Jaloni Gadist (Pine Forest H.S., Fayetteville), Kaiyan Padilla (Northglenn H.S., Denver, Colorado) and Pristina Tabon (Southern Lee H.S., Sanford) locked down the defense and passing for the Cougars. The catalyst who provided a huge assist to the Cougar volleyball team this season was the setter, Lily Bonner (Southern Lee H.S., Sanford).
In the tournament championship match, CCCC defeated Patrick Henry Community College by scores of 25-9, 25-18 and 25-18. It was CCCC’s third victory over PHCC during the season.
CCCC’s Rosser, McAllister and Bonner were each named to the All-Region First Team, along with Ashlee Mesot and Savannah Roberts of PHCC. Rosser was Region 10 Player of the Year and Carter was Region 10 Coach of the Year.
Carter said he was overjoyed that the team accomplished its goals and will leave the legacy of a conference and tournament championship.
“I would like to thank Will Carter, assistant coach, for pushing and challenging the team like only he could, and Marissa Thomas, assistant coach, for providing her expertise in any area that was needed,” Carter said.