Goldsboro's Alexus Davis signs with Wake Tech

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 16, 2015 11:27 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Goldsboro High head volleyball coach TJ Lancaster and assistant Bridgette Briggs wondered how much offseason work Alexus Davis had done heading into her senior season.

They found out the first day of practice.

Davis easily terminated a pair of kills, showed her timing had improved in blocking and accepted the captain position to lead Lancaster's most-experienced team.

The out-spoken senior didn't disappoint, either.

She improved her kills and blocking numbers from the previous season, which -- at that point -- made Lancaster realize that Davis was ready to move on to the next level.

Davis made it official Friday afternoon, signing a national letter-of-intent to play at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh next fall. She is Lancaster's second JUCO signee in the past three seasons.

Brandy Johnson just completed her sophomore season at Louisburg.

"The teammates made me feel like I was welcome (and) that was the place I felt like I belonged," said Davis, who will either join the military or transfer to Winston-Salem State when she completes her course study at WTCC.

"It feels good ... am nervous, a little bit, but I will be all right."

Wake Tech fashioned a 32-6 mark last season and advanced to semifinal-round play of the Region X Division II tournament. The Eagles lost to No. 4-ranked Pasco Hernandez (Fla.) Community College, which advanced to the national tournament.

Five sophomores -- all starters -- graduated.

"It's going to be a building year next year, but I think she (Alexus) brings in some athleticism ... more athleticism than some of the recruits I brought in, so I'm really excited," WTCC head coach Stephanie Sports said.

"I think she's going to be real explosive for us next year. She's got a lot of speed, moves well, hits hard and I think I can get her to hit harder. There's a couple of things we can adjust using her whole body to swing."

A two-time all-Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference selection, Davis recorded 173 kills, 37 blocks, 95 digs and served 67 aces this past fall. Her career totals during three varsity seasons -- 310 kills, 154 digs, 143 aces and 73 blocks.

Lancaster credited Davis' work ethic.

"I think it was between her junior and senior year that I was a little worried because it just hadn't clicked for her yet," Lancaster said. "She came in and worked that summer, and I could see it finally click because of her timing (on blocking) and she really started swinging.

"The game finally slowed down for her."

Davis has the desire to improve every facet of her game, especially back-line play. She doesn't quite get in the right position to dig up a kill attempt or save a loose ball to keep a point alive.

Sports assured Davis that will change at the next level.

"We've actually implemented an online training program that's great for summer because they can do it anywhere," Sports said.

Davis just smiled.