Way leds the way for Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO — The Uwharrie Charter Academy varsity volleyball team certainly has the will to capture a Four Rivers Conference championship and advance deep in the NCHSAA state 4-A playoffs. And where there’s a will, there is usually a Way.

In this case, junior Caroline Way.

The Eagles have certainly proved to be a well-balanced team with plenty of talent in every position, but when UCA needs a point or to stop a run by its opponent, Way usually comes to the forefront.

The 5-foot-11 junior is simply one of the hardest hitters who ever played in this county. 

“When she hits the volleyball, it just sounds different off her hand,” said veteran coach Lee Kennell, who, entering play this week, has guided the Eagles to an 11-3 overall record this season, including 2-0 in the FRC. “I’m not saying she’s the best outside that has ever played in Randolph County, but I can’t tell you anyone who hits the ball as hard as Caroline.”

Way’s bullet-like spikes are certainly eye-popping, but there’s far more to her game.

“She’s always known she can power a ball through the block, but she’s been working with tips, her swing across, her swing down the line, her all-around compete game,” 

Kennell said. “She’s on every serve receive. She reads the ball really well on defense. She’s doing everything being a six-rotation player that will give her a chance to play at the next level.”

The Eagles are off to another fast start. Coming off a season in which they finished 28-4 and advanced to the third round of the state 1-A tournament, UCA posted a gigantic league win to open the FRC with a sweep of Southwestern Randolph last week. A victory over North Moore, who was 7-1 at that time, followed later in the week.

Way said the success obtained is the result of incredible play by the entire roster.

“We have every single person on the court and off the court being a contributor to our team,” Way said. “Every game, everyone knows how to do their role. When some person is not having a great game, someone else is stepping up and doing a really good job. That is something we have had in the past, but this year is the deepest our team has ever been and everyone is super encouraging and works very hard to make every one better in practice, too.”

Way saw time as a freshman, but her role significantly changed heading into her sophomore season.

“My freshman year, I didn’t have as big of a role until the end of the season, then going into my sophomore year I helped in every aspect,” said Way, who started playing volleyball at age 8, influenced by her mother’s volleyball career at UNC Wilmington. “Serving, passing, hitting. Everything. This year I was more prepared for that type of role. It’s a big role to take on, but just playing, being myself and doing all I can and not too much. I want to do all I can for the team.”

Talking to coaches around the area, most said planning for Way is the first aspect of game-planning against the Eagles. Her athleticism, spiking ability, defense and overall play must be contended with. But that’s fine, Kennell said. That allows opportunities for the other talented players on the roster.

“Most teams’ game plans center around her,” Kennell said. ”If you’re cheating or committing the block to just her, it’s going to open up so many seams for other girls.”

That has allowed Carly Rush, Amya Brewer, Sydney Hayes, Alyvia Spinks and Nyasia Wharton to excel statistically at the net.

Way has been working on and unveiled a new approach to her serve in the game last week against the Cougars. For the first time in an actual game, she brought out a high-velocity jump serve with topspin. It’s just another aspect of the game she works on to become an even better all-around player.

“It’s very much a team game and I think playing as a team is a lot of fun,” Way said. “I met so many people through the sport. It has led me to all my friendships. Playing with my best friends makes it much more enjoyable.

“But there are a lot of aspects that are individual and that can be rewarding when you work really hard. I have worked really, really hard to get better doing all I can. It’s fun being successful, it makes the game more fun.”

Then there’s been plenty of fun on the volleyball court at UCA.