Spring Creek's Morris leaving for Topsail
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on June 12, 2014 1:48 PM
rcoggins@newsargus.com
SEVEN SPRINGS -- Six volleyballs.
An antique net system.
A winless program.
None of those issues bothered Deanna Morris when she took over the Spring Creek volleyball program in 2004. She built competitive teams that made five playoff appearances in 11 years, and her 2007 squad earned a share of the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season championship.
But Morris is ready to move on.
The Pembroke State graduate announced her resignation and will assume duties as Topsail High School's new athletics director within the next few days.
"Topsail is a career move I could not pass up," said Morris, who is currently finishing her masters in athletic administration at Pembroke. "Topsail is an awesome opportunity as it is a growing school and community. I am walking into a situation that has seasoned coaches already in place. I'm really in awe of the coaching staff they have there."
Morris' successor at Spring Creek is Staci Pence.
Pence served as an assistant to Wayne Christian and WAVE coach Rick Moore during travel-ball season. Morris spoke with school administrators about Pence and thought the former collegiate standout could devote more time to the program.
Pence's assistant coach is Lucy Avila, a former player under Morris who also has experience in the WAVE system.
"I felt Coach Pence would be a great fit and be able to give more time to the girls than I could," Morris said. "Leaving Spring Creek was a very difficult decision. My daughters graduated from here, my neice (Sarah Ford) will graduate from here.
"(There are) good kids and good teachers here. Spring Creek has coaches who care about their programs."
WAVE is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season. Morris has witnessed a phenomenal growth of the club that expanded into Wilson County less than two years ago. She's also worked on developing club teams for boys.
Morris plans to continue as director of WAVE.
Pence takes over a program that recorded its best single-season win total (15) since 2007. The Gators lost to perennial power Camden County in opening-round play of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.
Four starters return -- Ford (setter), Rachel McCollum (outside), Alanna Price (outside) and back row specialist Lexie Reyes.
"The players and I have a special bond, and they know that I will be just a phone call away," Morris said. "Spring Creek has some talented players and if they stick together, they'll go far."