Historic day for WCHS volleyball: Stubblefield, Martin sign scholarships
Wednesday, Lady Pioneers Candace Stubblefield and Courtney Martin were rewarded for their efforts over the past four years, by becoming the first volleyball players in school history to take their game to the next level. Martin and Stubblefield signed to play volleyball at Cumberland University with each girl receiving a four-year scholarship.
“I am very proud to have signed two quality young ladies like Candace and Courtney,” said Cumberland head coach Dwayne Deering. “Both girls are high quality athletes and have the potential to make a quick impact on our program with dedication and hard work. I am very happy they both chose Cumberland not only to continue their volleyball success, but to continue their education. The girls will start a conditioning program this summer and will report to practice the first of August.”
Deering and assistant coach Molly Darling were on hand to ink the two high school standouts. Deering has guided the Volleydawgs to five TranSouth conference titles and has been named coach of the year five times.
Martin, a four year starter for WCHS, played the middle as well as outside hitter. She was named all-district, team MVP and was selected as an alternate to the 2004 Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association Class AAA east All-Star team.
“Courtney has the best vertical leap of any player I have ever seen,” said WCHS coach Franklin Fisher. “I have been coaching volleyball for 10 years and have been involved in the sport for over 25 years and Courtney has great athletic ability. She finished her high school career as one of the top three leaders in kills at Warren County.
“She has done a good job and improved with each year. She made some big plays for us this year and Courtney will only get better at the next level. She will be very hard to replace and I wish her the very best at Cumberland.”
Stubblefield, also a four year starter, was the team captain and setter. She was an all-district honoree, and broke the high school’s assist record her junior year, and finished with over 700 assists.
“Candace is the most durable player I have ever coached in any sport,” Fisher said. “She would dive and sacrifice her body and bounce right back up and give it 100 percent again and again. She is a hard-nosed player who keeps it all business on the floor and that’s something that can’t be replaced.
“She has worked very hard over the last four years and has meet every challenge I threw at her. She has very soft hands and I knew the first day she tried out she was going to be a special player. She has been our team leader for the last two years and did a great job this year as captain in keeping the team under composer and under control on the floor at all times.
“Candace did things you can’t teach, and I’m going to miss her never-say-die attitude. Her hard work and dedication has been justly rewarded. She will be a great addition to Cumberland’s program and her work ethics will take her a long way. I’m going to miss both of these girls very much and will be looking forward to seeing them play at the college level.”
Stubblefield said she is very happy to be going to such a quality program.
“Cumberland is a great academic school and will give me a chance to reach my goals,” she said. “Over the past four years coach Fisher has pushed me to get the best out of me. He believed in me and in return made me believe in myself and for that, I am forever grateful.”
Martin stated she is looking forward to the challenges that await her in college, but will miss playing for coach Fisher.
“Coach Fisher is a great coach and I would like to thank him for all of the hard work he put into the team and towards me,” she said. “I am very proud to sign with a school like Cumberland and hope the next four years will be a great success.”