Inaugural year a rousing success for EEVC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 17, 2013 1:47 PM

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The end-of-season celebration confirmed the Eastern Elite Volleyball Club accomplished more than it expected during its inaugural season of competition.

The Club's four teams participated in 125 matches and had individual players earn all-regional tournament accolades in each age group. Six players on the 18-Under squad signed either national letters-of-intent or grant-in-aids to continue their respective careers on the collegiate level.

"We felt like we had a very strong first year," EEVC co-founder Colby Mangum said. "We were happy to have four teams who all improved tremendously. As a coach who has been around the Wayne County area for about seven years, it's incredible to see such growth in volleyball and compete with national-level teams from around the country."

The 18U team collected silver medals in the national tournaments contested in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta; and claimed a bronze medal in a highly-competitive event in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The group also finished runner-up in their division in Carolina Region USA Volleyball.

Southern Wayne grad Deborrah Bennett and Megan Ryals will play for Mangum, who is the head coach at Louisburg College. Emily Martin and Hannah Pearson are headed to UNC Wilmington.

Jasmine Williams signed with N.C. Central, while Madison Mercer inked an NLI with Cape Fear Community College.

"We are honored to have had so many talented young ladies choose to make the commitment EEVC asks for and grow themselves as players," Mangum said.

On the 16U scene, the EEVC ended up third overall in their division of Carolina Region USAV. They brought home silver medals from the USAV-Carolina Region Championship and the National Shamrock Festival in Roanoke, Va.

The 15U team placed second overall in Carolina Region USAV division play and competed nationally at Roanoke. Meanwhile, the 13U squad placed eighth in their division of Carolina Region USAV.