Eastern Wayne's Young signs with N.C. Wesleyan

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 9, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Casey Young strolled around the pine tree-lined campus and caught that vibe she didn't get during tours at two other in-state colleges.

This one felt right.

Everyone seemed friendly, more personal.

Nestled in a quiet area just north of Rocky Mount, the smaller campus with a one-on-one student-to-professor ratio also appealed to her. The curriculum fit her academic needs.

"I just knew that's where I wanted to go," Young said.

The Eastern Wayne senior made it official Monday afternoon by signing an academic grant package to play volleyball at N.C. Wesleyan this fall. She had considered Methodist University, Guilford College and a small Christian-based school in Burlington near Elon University.

Young played three varsity seasons with the Warriors, and helped guide them to the playoffs during her junior and senior campaigns. She earned a spot on the 2014 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A All-Conference team this past fall.

She gained most of her experience during travel ball. From her sixth- to ninth-grade years, she played for WAVE -- Wayne Area Volleyball Enthusiasts. She switched to the Eastern Elite Volleyball Club during her sophomore year.

The level in competition increased dramatically, which inspired Young to improve her level of play.

"You play against some of the best girls in a certain area ... girls you might face when you play in college," said Young, who earned a Presidential Scholarship to attend NCWC and will graduate from Eastern Wayne as a National Honor Society member and North Carolina Scholar.

"It's a faster pace than some of the high school games. The conference that we played in and travel ball is a lot different. Everyone on those teams are the best players from their high school teams."

Normally either a right-side or outside hitter, and sometimes a setter, Young played the entire rotation this past season. As the team's captain, she showed consistent leadership on the floor and worked to keep her teammates in the right position.

She attributed that mentality to EEVC coaches Steven Mau and Mike Bolechowski -- two avid volleyball players who currently serve at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The duo taught Young about paying attention to small details, learning to pick up on the opponent's tendencies and making sure she understood how not only to play her position efficiently, but recognize where everyone else needed to be on the court.

"They taught me a lot ... definitely toughened me up," a smiling Young said. "You don't get away with a lot, but they push you to be the best you can be (on the court) and even better than that," Young said. "They work hard to make sure that you reach your full potential."

N.C. Wesleyan encountered a coaching change during the offseason, which concerned Young. But she attended an "open-gym" day where she met some of the players and participated in some scrimmage games.

She felt right at home.

The Battling Bishops finished 7-21 last season in the highly-competitive, 13-team USA South Conference. The disappointing season didn't sit well with new head coach Vicky Gentile, who replaces Robyn Pietryk.

NCWC posted seven 20-win seasons from 2004 to 2012.

"I'll do whatever to help win in any way possible," said Young, who plans to major in secondary education and teach math. "I just want to come in and play where she (Gentile) puts me and do what I can that will benefit the team."