BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Bradford High School senior Reagan Harris is looking forward to experiencing life after graduation, which will include going to college and playing volleyball for North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount.
“I’m very excited,” said Harris, who participated in a signing ceremony on March 6 at Beef O’Brady’s in Starke. “I think it’s going to be a really good opportunity — a new opportunity. I’m kind of excited to take my own path with it. It’ll be away from home and away from some of the coaches I know. It’ll be new girls, new team, new everything.”
Harris, who played three years at BHS and for six years for various club programs (including, most recently, 904 Elite), said her coaches convinced her that she had the talent to play at the next level, but Ashley Monfort, her former Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association coach, said, “I’ve got to give her all the credit.”
Even after she moved on from playing for JJVA, Harris continued to work with Monfort. He said Harris put in the time to improve in all facets of the game, adding that she didn’t back down from any challenge. That’s why he’s excited to see her get an opportunity to play at North Carolina Wesleyan.
“I know how much work she put in,” Monfort said.
Harris said she was also considering Tennessee Wesleyan University, which offered her a scholarship. However, she enjoyed the overall atmosphere much more at North Carolina Wesleyan.
“When we were doing a tour, everyone looked like they wanted to be there,” Harris said.
She enjoyed meeting the players, who were eager to show off their school and its facilities.
“They gave me like older-sister vibes,” Harris said. “You could just know that you would be OK going there.”
Harris also likes the passion that Head Coach Vicky Gentile has for her program.
“The coach is also very friendly,” she said. “She talks a lot about her program and her girls. You can tell she likes to work there and be with her team.”
In assessing her game, Harris said she feels the biggest strides she’s made have come in communicating with coaches and teammates. Monfort can agree with that, saying, “I remember when I first started with Regan. She was a little shy.”
“When I started, I wouldn’t talk to hardly any of the girls or coaches, but now, when we’re on the sidelines, I’m engaging with my teammates. We’re all talking.”
Harris said when it comes to transitioning to the game at the collegiate level, she’ll have to work on improving her vertical as well as her speed-reaction time. She believes she’s good at seeing the ball, but is still a step slow at times moving to it.
Monfort said the game gets faster and tougher as a player gets older and plays at higher levels. Harris will have to continue with the work ethic she’s already shown and not forget about fundamentals and technique.
“In the long run, technique leads to good results,” Monfort said, adding, “No matter how good or bad things are, we stick with doing the right technique.”
Monfort said it’s always a thrill to see players he’s coached get to play in college. He added that they’re also people his younger players can look up to. With that in mind, he hopes Harris will return and speak to his younger players about the experiences she’ll have at the next level.
“She is a person who’s a good example to follow,” Monfort said.
Harris said she’s not sure what it’s going to feel like the first time she steps onto the court as a North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishop. What she does know is that she’ll simply continue playing a sport that she loves.
“I’ll probably be nervous and excited, but it’s just the same game I’ve been playing for six years,” Harris said.
