COACH DEWALT HAS QUITE AN IMPACT ON AREA VOLLEYBALL

Sitting courtside at Thursday afternoons volleyball game between Providence and Ardrey Kell one can't help but notice a coach sitting in a big group of middle school players. That beloved volleyball coach is Judy Dewalt of Jay M. Robinson Middle School. Her current players have her surrounded while over a dozen of her former players are going at each other on both sides of the high school volleyball game.

With the amazing success of high school volleyball in the area, one very important link seems to exist with many of the top current players. They either played or learned the game from Coach Dewalt. Her impact on so many of today's players is now being felt at colleges across the area and certainly on the volleyball teams at Providence and Ardrey Kell.
We asked Coach Dewalt what it felt like to watch the game and her former players.

"I love to watch them! It must be agonizing for them...especially their freshman year because they were teammates just a short year ago. I can tell the games they play against each other are really emotional contests. I know they know alot about each other and alot about each others' skills sets. I wonder if they think about fun times when they look across the net and see a former teammate. I know I do. I think about the fun times we had in middle school when I see them, but I also admire how they've grown into high school. I know they are in good hands so that makes me feel optimistic about their futures."

Many of these players took the court for the first time in 7th grade at Jay M. Robinson. Coach Dewalt reflects on those times and watching the girls grow into a new sport and become successful players.

"I feel so proud of them. I am truly amazed at their strength development in high school. It is shocking to see some of them hit, serve, jump and react during their games compared to how I remember them in middle school ractice....however....they were very good players in middle school! I hope they don't mind me saying so but I feel like I have a bond with the girls. I have such good memories from their teams and I just love'em.....every one of them. Volleyball is special at Robinson and our tradition is strong. I think that's "cool." The girls that are on the Robinson 2009 team have a few "heroes" they want to be like...that just happen to be Robinson alumni!"

The list of players that have played for Coach Dewalt that are now on the Ardrey Kell and Providence teams include Ardrey Kell players; Sam Gostling, Dianna Marren, Aubrey Olsen, Meg Peer, Kristin and Sarah Wyczawski, Erin and Kendra Murphy, Molly Harris, Morgan Grouge, Kari Moran, Caroline Zybala, Madison Wauchope, Chloe Wachtel and Caitlin Watkins.
From Providence: Jen Lane, Maryanne Grayson, Annie Spence, Mackenzie Wynn, Katherine Boguski, Teran Lewis, Emily Franklin, Brieanna Carey, Alexandra Mayo and Hannah Wilkinson

Current Charlotte Catholic player Allie Strittmater also came through Coach Dewalt's program

Coach Dewalt offered one very important piece of advice for all aspiring players headed to middle school with an eye on volleyball.

"I tell them to go out for the team. I tell them it is very competitive. I encourage them to go to camp and join a league to play a second season...or more...if they can. There are 60-70 girls that try-outs so try-outs can be intimidating but you have to start somewhere. If you make the team I promise you'll have a great time and you WILL BECOME A BETTER PLAYER and you'll learn alot about being a competitor. If you don't make the team, try-out sessions will help you understand the level of competition and be able to set goals and aim at next year's team. Practice, bring your gear and play like a champion!"
Very wise words from someone that understands how volleyball works in South Charlotte!
The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Coach Judy Dewalt for her impact on so many volleyball players.