FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: North Duplin volleyball

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 17, 2017 6:00 AM

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By JUSTIN HAYES

jhayes@newsargus.com

CALYPSO -- The stats and such, or anything resembling the stark-raving internet hoo-rah around sports analytics terms -- things like spread, predictive modeling or win shares -- don't mean very much by the whistle of Laura Thornton.

It's likely they never will.  

Her design, and that of the North Duplin volleyball program she has helmed for the past five seasons, is markedly different.

But if you've ever seen the Ode-de-Rebel mural pasted on the south wall of Pro-Med, Inc. -- which captures perfectly the town's dedication to its athletes -- you probably already figured as much.  

To begin, the program is fun-different -- as in, summer workouts draw 19 different children. And when you're choosing from a schoolhouse of 320, a six percent turnout just-so-happens to be outstanding.  

"We've got all levels of kids here," the coach said of her roster. "We've got kids who are brand new to the game, and some who have played club."

But hey, everyone -- regardless of ability or position or status as a jayvee or varsity Rebel -- wears a smile, so it must be fun.

But there's more.

It's also find-your-role different, because Thornton makes that promise to you as a freshman. Give me your time, she tells them. Wipe the floor with it, and I'll find a rotation for you.

In her gym, promises aren't confused with innuendo.

Above all else, however, it's play-four-years-without-a-doubt different -- uncommon for many athletes, who nowadays have their persistence muted by the cool hymn of air conditioning, video-game consoles and re-start buttons.   

The proof?

Well, it's her senior class.   

For the past four seasons, through thick and thin and just 18 wins, Abbey Pate, Kenzie Taylor and her daughter, Anna, have been been there for all parts of the show.

That means every team camp. Every practice. Both five-setters versus Spring Creek in October 2016 and every lopsided decision against a larger school with more tradition.

Suffice to say, the trio gave all it could -- and still is.

"Everybody has a job to do," Thornton said. "So coaching up the team, being a role model -- that's what I really expect."

That's a true win share -- one like no other.