Mike Ridaught
This past November the Newberry volleyball team advanced to the FHSAA Class 1A state semifinals.
It marked the Panthers’ first appearance in a final four since 2020 when they finished as state runners-up.
That year, a total of three players signed to play at the next level.
However, one of those players, Grace Oelrich, signed a scholarship for rowing, giving the program two signees for volleyball.
On Tuesday, NHS had three players sign their National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play volleyball in college, marking a first for the program.
Hailey Tharp inked with Florida State College at Jacksonville, Hanna Templeton chose Webber University and Sarah Watson picked William Paterson University.
“The leadership of these three,” said Newberry coach Hank Rone. “All had great games their senior season that without one of these three stepping up we wouldn’t have made a run for the final four. I believe all three will be huge impact players in college and very successful in life. I really loved coaching these seniors.”
Tharp is the epitome of “big things come in small packages.”
The 5’3 outside hitter led Newberry with 359 kills.
“A very talented athlete,” Rone said. “She is very strong be an outside at 5-foot-3. She gives you every ounce, along with being an explosive player. Very proud of her and how far she has come as a volleyball player.”
She had 11 kills in the 1A-Region 4 Final as the Panthers (15-15) knocked off top seed Williston 16-25, 25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 15-13 on the road to advance to Class 1A state semifinals at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
The Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week for the week of Aug. 21 was one of four recruits who were invited to play with FSCJ’s team and visit the Jacksonville campus.
“Today was amazing,” Tharp said. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to continue to play. Coach (Chelsea) Hinck said we were all a great fit, and she would love to get us committed here. I followed through with the commitment process mainly because of the way the team welcomed me in as if I had been on the team for a while.”
Tharp, who was third on the Panthers’ team with 235 digs, said the Blue Wave were very family oriented which was a big factor for her in the sport.
“It’s not just about the sport itself, it’s also the bonds you get out of it and the family you play with,” she said. “FSCJ had all of that to offer and some more and I’m really excited to get to be a part of it.”
Templeton will also remain in the Sunshine State, signing with Webber International University in Polk County.
“Love the atmosphere and the coach,” she said. “Beautiful campus and can’t wait to start.”
This past year as a senior, Templeton led the Panthers with 789 assists. She was also second with 387 digs and had a team-leading 66 aces.
“Truly dedicated to the game and became the leader on the court I knew she would become,” Rone said. “She came from not playing much volleyball and a very green player to one of the best setters to come out of Newberry. I’m so proud of who she has become as a student, captain and volleyball player.”
Watson will take her talents north to William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.
“They had the right atmosphere for me, the major I want is available (Biology with a minor in health studies), plus the professors were very helpful that I met,” she said. The team was awesome when I talked to them on a Zoom call. I look forward to my next step in life and playing for William Paterson.”
This past season, Watson led the Panthers in hitting percentage (.251) and blocks (170) and she finished third on the team with 157 kills.
Rone said that Watson came in as a junior and was an immediate impact player at the net blocking for Newberry.
“She didn’t play any competitive volleyball from her eighth grade year to 10th grade,” he said. “Coach Lili Bentz (Santa Fe College) really focused on her blocking and hitting, and with Sarah’s work ethic of wanting to become the best middle at Newberry, that partnership paid off. Sarah became the player that when we needed a timely side out or a huge block she would come through. I’m very proud of how much she improved in one year.”
Watson works hard on and off the floor.
She is the school’s Valedictorian and captain of her team.
“Today represents all the hard work I put in,” Watson said. “Now the new door opens for me, and I get to go on to a new team. I’m so very excited.”