PINETOWN — All Jordan Woolard has ever wanted was a chance to play volleyball beyond high school and the Northside senior’s wish was recently granted as the Panthers’ senior middle hitter received an offer to play for the Pitt Community College Bulldogs next season.
“I’m really excited,” Woolard said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the game, plus it’s really close to home.”
Woolard has been playing on the Northside volleyball team since she was a freshman and is a two-time Washington Daily News All-Area first-team selection and will room with fellow Northside senior star athlete Caroline Slade next year. Woolard was recruited by former PCC coach Tom Marsh, who has since stepped down from the position. Caitlin Wooten has taking over the Bulldogs and as she familiarizes herself with her team she will soon find out that Woolard’s love for the game is as long as her 6’0” frame. Something her parents, James and Julie Woolard, have known for a long time.
“The thing about Jordan is she has the passion for volleyball. She loves the game,” James said. “I’m very proud of her and her decision to play for the Bulldogs. They should get ready because J-Dog is coming to Pitt County.”
Pitt CC will pick up the cost of Woolard’s tuition and books for the next two years but Julie said what makes her the most happy is that Jordan will get to do something she loves for the next two seasons.
“I’m excited that she will be playing close to home, but I’m probably most excited that she will be able to do what she likes to do,” Julie said. “Volleyball seems to be the sport she likes the most and I’m really excited she will get to do that.”
Woolard, who also plays basketball and softball for the Panthers, said she loves volleyball the most because of the tempo of the game.
“I like it because it moves fast,” Woolard said. “I just like volleyball and I like spiking a lot.”
Tami Wagaman, who coached volleyball at Northside when Woolard was a freshman and then again as a senior, said that Woolard’s skills have grown leaps and bounds.
“Whenever you get a tall freshman they are always a little bit uncoordinated and Jordan was one of those,” Wagaman said. “But they grow to love their height and it was the same way for Jordan. She dominated her senior year and it was nice to come back and be a part of her senior year. “