L.C. Bird standout volleyball player Jessica Bradbury announced her commitment to Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia to continue her volleyball career.
Hollins is not a traditional volleyball power, however, Bradbury said that she loved first year head coach Kat Lawson’s approach to building the program.
“I want to help build the program,” said Bradbury. “Coach [Lawson] is ready to rock and so am I.”
Bradbury will graduate in June and has certainly been an important building block to L.C. Bird’s program. An integral part of L.C. Bird’s 2013 Conference 12 Championship team, she led the team in assists as the teams setter. In 2014, the Skyhawks earned a second consecutive 5A South Region berth. While Bradbury’s role changed with a new line-up, her presence and leadership were a constant.
Despite being small in stature for a volleyball player, (Bradbury stands at 5’3) she has made up for her lack of length with hard work on her skills in the game. While recruiting was slow initially, the senior gained good interest from several Division III schools.
Height didn’t stop her from leaving her mark on the Skyhawk record book either, as she set the school record for assists in a game (39), season (478) and career (715). The senior will join former teammates Julia Stech (Randolph-Macon) and Courtney Wiseman (Barton College) in the college ranks.
Bradbury played club volleyball for 2 Rivers Volleyball Academy.
Thomas Dale linebacker Keith Anderson II, recipient of the Dudley award, announced his college commitment via his Instagram account to Morehouse College.
“So fitting to announce on the last day of Black History Month that I’m committing to the HBCU where Martin Luther King Jr. walked, Morehouse College.”
Anderson II was a leader and an unsung performer on the Thomas Dale defense, ranking 4th on the team with 65 tackles and grabbing three tackles for losses. The senior chose Morehouse College over Howard University.
On February 5, National Signing Day saw several athletes sign from area schools. L.C. Bird football had Tyler Wilkins (Richmond), Darnell Gore (Shaw), Petie Bush (North Carolina A&T), Stephen Mines (Virginia State), and Andre Davis (Winston Salem State).
Thomas Dale had two football players in Darvin Taylor II (Florida State) and Marco Carabotta (Army) that joined baseball stud Nathan Eaton, who signed to play at VMI.
Meadowbrook football saw Khylil James (Virginia State), Jeff Lee (Norfolk State), Justin Miller (Virginia Union), and D’Angelo Amos (Army) all sign national letters of intent.
Matoaca tight end Jonathan Manuel signed to play at Randolph-Macon, while diamond standout Austin Sizemore committed to Marymount University. Full coverage was seen on twitter, @VNewsSports.
