By Matthew Hatfield

Special to the News-Herald

 

Nansemond River High School senior Camryn Holt has committed to continue her volleyball career in the fall at Ferrum College, a school located a little more than four hours to the west of Suffolk.

Holt was hearing from a variety of colleges, including Davis & Elkins and Salem International University. However, she settled on Ferrum, given that she’d continue to play a position where she has excelled during her days at Nansemond River.

“At my height, it’s really difficult to be a setter at places. A lot of other colleges wanted me to be a (defensive specialist). I worked really hard at setting, and there were a limited number of colleges that wanted me to do that, but Ferrum was one of them,” Holt said. “I also really liked the campus there.

Ferrum’s Women’s Volleyball program finished with a 16-15 overall record and went 10-9 in conference play in 2015. Their season ended in a 3-0 loss to Covenant College in the USA South Tournament quarterfinals.

Holt is one of the more accomplished volleyball players Nansemond River has seen, finishing with 301 assists, 129 digs, 73 aces, 52 kills and six blocks in 22 matches this past season. She was a four-year letterman in volleyball and picked up plenty of individual accolades along the way, including 2015 MVP as First Team All-Conference recognition for a third straight year.

“Camryn’s one of the strongest setters I’ve seen come through here and probably the strongest server,” coach Robin Smith said. “Her skills in those two areas exceed what has come out of here, I believe. As far as her work ethic, she’s right up there with several of them when it comes to court time and play time.”

“At Ferrum, I think she’s got a possibility of going big if she keeps working hard and stays to her program. They’re getting a strong, well-rounded player who’s a leader on the court and got a great personality that goes beyond the court.”

At this point, Holt is still undecided on what she will study in college, though has an idea.

“Before, I wanted to do something with healthcare. Now, I’m leaning towards political science,” she stated.

What are her goals on the court for the next level?

“I’d really like to help lead the program,” Holt replied. “Obviously, I want to win the conference and try to make All-Conference. But more than anything, just be a team player.”

It’s often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Some current and even future Nansemond River volleyball players are patterning themselves after Holt.

“I’ve got a good group of girls coming up that look up to Camryn and several of my setters that have already tried to mimic her this past year. One of them was my eighth grader that thought a lot of Camryn’s skills, and we look forward to seeing her in the next four years coming up in the program,” Smith said.

“Several play different sports, so we’re trying to convince them to go ahead with volleyball. We look forward to hopefully getting a few more coming in the next year headed towards the college level.”

Some athletes don’t get the chance to go on to play the sport they enjoy in college. Holt is thankful for the opportunity at Ferrum.

“I love it,” she said. “Some of the memories in high school I had were great. I remember playing and thinking I can’t imagine it ending after four years or two years. Even now for some of the girls coming up that aren’t going on to the collegiate level. I don’t know what I’d do if I was in their shoes. I’m so blessed to be able to continue playing.”