Golden Falcons' Bynum signs with Pitt CC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 7, 2016 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- A unknown dream.

A book of written goals.

Intuition.

Each has factored into Alexis Bynum's life.

Reality hit the Charles B. Aycock senior Tuesday afternoon when she officially announced her intentions to play volleyball at Pitt Community College.

"My dad (Rufus) actually had a dream about me going there from the beginning. I didn't know anything about it," Bynum laughed. "I feel like it's a great school. It's growing and it gives girls a lot of opportunities other (Division I and II) schools can't.

"At a community college, it's still that high intensity, but it's broken down into a smaller setting. The girls are a lot closer. I feel like it's going to be a great opportunity for me."

OK, so dad's dream is no longer a fantasy.

Now on to the book.

Scribbled on every page are notes from practices and games. What can I do to get better? Man, I've really got to work on my passing so I can be a better all-around player. I need to become a leader.

Bynum discovered those things about herself during two seasons of travel ball with Shockwave and Eastern Carolina JVC. The level of competition was stronger, bigger and faster. The pace of the game, at first, overwhelmed Bynum.

Shockwave coach Tangela Faulkner, also an assistant at CBA, helped Bynum adjust -- not only on the court, but off the court. She stressed the importance of helping the younger players, leaving something behind after she graduated.

Bynum easily embraced that philosophy.

"I couldn't have done anything I've done now without my teammates," she said. "They're my number one fans and I love them to death. Without God, without my family and my coaches believing in me, I would not be who I am today."

God opened the window in 2014.

That's when Faulkner stepped into Bynum's life and recognized the gift she possessed. The two immediately developed a strong bond through their passion, heart and intensity for the game.

Uncanny, was it not?

But Faulkner also recognized that Bynum needed to learn how to channel her emotions and understand the role of a leader. She had to assist the younger players, contribute in every way possible and leave lasting impression.

Next came playing with a purpose.

Bynum went into beast mode each time she stepped onto the court this past season. Every point had meaning and she managed to push aside any negativity -- a shanked pass, an off set, miscommunication on the court or a kill attempt that just missed the line.

She cranked out 120 kills and logged 58 blocks for Aycock, which finished 11-11 and advanced to the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs.

"When you have people that God put in your surroundings to push you and drive you to go to the next level, there's no way of stopping you," said Bynum, who has a 3.6 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

PCC is recruiting Bynum as a middle hitter. She's trying to negotiate the chance to play the entire rotation and show the improvement in her passing skills.

Bynum plans to study physical therapy and transfer to a Division II school once she leaves Pitt. Several coaches continue to stay in contact with the talented 17-year-old.

"She's done everything that she knew she could do," Faulkner said. "I know she has gifts outside volleyball because of her passion and her drive, so she's going to go far. It's a blessing that she can use this door opening to wherever God is going to lead her."

And to think it all started with a dream, a notebook and a guiding source who became a mentor.