For the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards, the 2016 women’s volleyball season will long be remembered as historic. VGCC compiled a winning record (14-8) in the regular season, reached .500 in conference play (6-6), and won a match in the postseason — all for the first time in the history of the program.
In fact, those were all goals that Coach Christopher Young had set for the Vanguards at the beginning of the year. “We accomplished each of these goals and will build on those goals heading into next season,” Young said. “I am extremely happy with how our team performed throughout the season, leading up to our Region X Tournament. Our student-athletes practiced hard and gave everything they had while on the court competing, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask your athletes to do.”
In addition, the team’s two sophomores received All-Region X honors from coaches in the conference. Kiyanna Kearney of Henderson was named to the First Team, becoming just the second Vanguard ever to receive that honor, and was runner-up for Player of the Year. Jesse Edwards of Henderson, meanwhile, received an Honorable Mention for the All-Region team.
VGCC closed out the regular season by winning a doubleheader at home over Danville Community College on Oct. 18. In another “first,” the Vanguards played a home match somewhere other than Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, because the contest had been rescheduled from an earlier date. Long Mill Elementary School in Youngsville served as the location. The first match was a 3-1 victory for VGCC, with the visitors eking out a 28-26 win in the first set but the Vanguards coming back to win 25-14, 25-15 and 25-10. Kearney led her team with 20 kills. Stormi Abernathy of Yanceyville posted a whopping 48 assists. Edwards had 4 digs along with 15 kills. VGCC won the second match over DCC in three sets (25-23, 25-16 and 25-16). Kearney posted 13 kills and 7 digs. Abernathy made 26 assists and 3 solo blocks.
In the NJCAA Division III Region X conference tournament, hosted by Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, VGCC was seeded fourth, another high-water mark for the program. In the opening round, on Oct. 22, the Vanguards faced fifth-seeded Rockingham Community College and swept the Eagles in three sets (25-19, 25-18 and 30-28). Hannah Arneth of Oxford led VGCC in kills, with 15. Kearney had the most digs (20) while also posting 12 kills. Abernathy made 30 assists and 16 digs. Edwards contributed 15 digs and 8 kills.
Advancing to the tournament semifinals for the first time, the VGCC squad played their second match of the day against top-seeded Patrick Henry Community College, which only had one loss in conference play this season. The result was a three-set victory (25-9, 25-15 and 25-13) for the Patriots, who then went on to capture the Region X title by defeating Sandhills in the championship match. Coach Young called PHCC “an extremely talented team.” In the loss, Arneth again had the most kills (10) while Abernathy led in digs (11) and in assists (17). Kearney, in her final match as a Vanguard, posted 3 solo blocks, 9 digs and 6 kills. Edwards, also closing out her VGCC career, contributed 5 kills and 8 digs.
“Coming into the season, we knew we only had two returning players, Jesse and Kiyanna, and we were going to need to rely on freshmen to step up early and contribute, which they did in a big way,” Coach Young reflected. “Players like Hannah Arneth, Stormi Abernathy, Katelynn Ray, Hanna Williams and Allyson Cash were a large piece of the puzzle for our team, while Ashley Parker, Madison Waddle and Nicole Bowman contributed throughout the season when called upon. When the postseason rolled around, our team seemed to be playing some of the best volleyball we had been playing all season. Hannah, Kiyanna and Jesse really stepped up their games during our Region X Tournament.”
VGCC Women’s Volleyball season ends with historic ‘firsts’
/by WIZS StaffFor the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards, the 2016 women’s volleyball season will long be remembered as historic. VGCC compiled a winning record (14-8) in the regular season, reached .500 in conference play (6-6), and won a match in the postseason — all for the first time in the history of the program.
In fact, those were all goals that Coach Christopher Young had set for the Vanguards at the beginning of the year. “We accomplished each of these goals and will build on those goals heading into next season,” Young said. “I am extremely happy with how our team performed throughout the season, leading up to our Region X Tournament. Our student-athletes practiced hard and gave everything they had while on the court competing, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask your athletes to do.”
In addition, the team’s two sophomores received All-Region X honors from coaches in the conference. Kiyanna Kearney of Henderson was named to the First Team, becoming just the second Vanguard ever to receive that honor, and was runner-up for Player of the Year. Jesse Edwards of Henderson, meanwhile, received an Honorable Mention for the All-Region team.
VGCC closed out the regular season by winning a doubleheader at home over Danville Community College on Oct. 18. In another “first,” the Vanguards played a home match somewhere other than Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, because the contest had been rescheduled from an earlier date. Long Mill Elementary School in Youngsville served as the location. The first match was a 3-1 victory for VGCC, with the visitors eking out a 28-26 win in the first set but the Vanguards coming back to win 25-14, 25-15 and 25-10. Kearney led her team with 20 kills. Stormi Abernathy of Yanceyville posted a whopping 48 assists. Edwards had 4 digs along with 15 kills. VGCC won the second match over DCC in three sets (25-23, 25-16 and 25-16). Kearney posted 13 kills and 7 digs. Abernathy made 26 assists and 3 solo blocks.
In the NJCAA Division III Region X conference tournament, hosted by Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, VGCC was seeded fourth, another high-water mark for the program. In the opening round, on Oct. 22, the Vanguards faced fifth-seeded Rockingham Community College and swept the Eagles in three sets (25-19, 25-18 and 30-28). Hannah Arneth of Oxford led VGCC in kills, with 15. Kearney had the most digs (20) while also posting 12 kills. Abernathy made 30 assists and 16 digs. Edwards contributed 15 digs and 8 kills.
Advancing to the tournament semifinals for the first time, the VGCC squad played their second match of the day against top-seeded Patrick Henry Community College, which only had one loss in conference play this season. The result was a three-set victory (25-9, 25-15 and 25-13) for the Patriots, who then went on to capture the Region X title by defeating Sandhills in the championship match. Coach Young called PHCC “an extremely talented team.” In the loss, Arneth again had the most kills (10) while Abernathy led in digs (11) and in assists (17). Kearney, in her final match as a Vanguard, posted 3 solo blocks, 9 digs and 6 kills. Edwards, also closing out her VGCC career, contributed 5 kills and 8 digs.
“Coming into the season, we knew we only had two returning players, Jesse and Kiyanna, and we were going to need to rely on freshmen to step up early and contribute, which they did in a big way,” Coach Young reflected. “Players like Hannah Arneth, Stormi Abernathy, Katelynn Ray, Hanna Williams and Allyson Cash were a large piece of the puzzle for our team, while Ashley Parker, Madison Waddle and Nicole Bowman contributed throughout the season when called upon. When the postseason rolled around, our team seemed to be playing some of the best volleyball we had been playing all season. Hannah, Kiyanna and Jesse really stepped up their games during our Region X Tournament.”
News 11/02/16
/by LarryFire Destroyed 106 Year Old House; Cause Undetermined
/by John C. RoseThe fire that destroyed a local, well-known house and church on North Garnett Street will be listed as having an undetermined origin.
City of Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell told WIZS News, “We are determined that it’s undetermined. We know the area that it started in. We are very confident in our investigation as far as area of origin, but, as far as the initial cause of the fire, that will be reported as undetermined.”
That is a permanent decision Cordell said. He said, “Unless something comes up or somebody comes up and gives us more information than what we were able to find at the scene, it will be an undetermined fire.”
Three representatives from the State Bureau of Investigation, three representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Cordell investigated the blaze from 10 a.m. Tuesday until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
As Cordell explained it, the investigation was extensive.
The house was formerly a home place, later a funeral home and was presently a church. It was destroyed by fire overnight. The house was historic from a standpoint of its age, but also because of the well-known and respected families and organizations that have used it, including the Kesler family, the Flowers family and other present day owners.
No one was injured when the former Flowers Funeral Home Building at the corner of North Garnett Street and Hamilton Street burned.
Cordell indicated the fire started about 4 a.m. or 4:15 a.m. and was fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived.
There are pictures and comments on the WIZS Facebook page.
Another popular, local Facebook page, Remember When…(Reminiscing About Henderson, NC) has a video of the fire and a place to comment.
Papa John’s Delivery Driver Robbed in Henderson
/by WIZS StaffOn October 16, 2016 at approximately 9:44 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 1526 Dabney Dr. (Papa John’s) in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a delivery driver for Papa John’s had been robbed in the roadway and in front of 617 Roberson St. for an undetermined amount of US currency and pizza.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Northern and Southern Vance to host College/Career Days
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools is hosting two Career/College Day events, November 9, at Southern Vance High School and November 17, at Northern Vance High School.
Both events will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and are open to high school juniors and seniors and their families.
The focus of the events is to provide representatives that are from different career pathways to be available to answer questions from students, speak about skills and training needed for jobs in their respective industries and share information about opportunities for internships/job shadowing experiences.
There will also be representatives from colleges available to speak with students about college programs and services available.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor or would like additional information contact: phone: 252-739-7120, e-mail: mstevens@vcs.k12.nc.us.
Community Voices Program Continues Tonight
/by WIZS StaffCommunity Voices group meets again tonight at 6-8 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market for training with Dr, Michelle Eley from NC A&T State University and local facilitators leading the session.
Last week, participants worked on listing some improvements they would like to see in our community. Tonight we will explore narrowing those down and possible next steps. If you came the first time but missed the next session, please come back. We were excited to have some new people at the second session and want to keep all of you who have an interest.
Please arrive on time so we can respect everyone’s schedule. (Only light refreshments may be provided by participants on a volunteer basis.)
Domino’s Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed in Henderson
/by WIZS StaffOn October 12, 2016 at approximately 11:26 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 901 S. Beckford Dr. (Domino’s Pizza) in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza had been robbed in the roadway of the 800 block of Hughes St. for an undetermined amount of US currency.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Feeding NC Livestock could be an Issue this winter
/by WIZS StaffFlooding in eastern North Carolina and drought in western counties has state agricultural officials concerned about feeding livestock and horses this winter. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is utilizing a website, www.ncagr.gov/hayalert, to help livestock and horse owners in sourcing hay.
The Hay Alert website was first launched during the drought in 2002 and used again in 2007. It is similar to Craigslist, in which users can post hay for sale or hay wanted ads. The department will not be involved in the transaction beyond hosting the website.
“We’re trying to help farmers meet the needs for livestock and horses this winter,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Earlier this fall, we expected to have eastern hay to fill the void in the west, but the flood has ruined so much of the eastern crop. We encourage farmers to go ahead and start securing their hay for the winter.”
Farmers are encouraged to work with their local cooperative extension agent to set up a winter feed plan. They are also reminded that many areas of North Carolina are under quarantine for plant pests and care should be taken to not introduce pests into new areas. Check with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division for guidance if moving hay from a quarantine area to a non-quarantine area.
Vance County School Update 10/31/16
/by LarryOvernight Fire Destroys Historic Building
/by WIZS StaffOvernight Fire Destroys Historic Building
UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.
A house that must be over 100 years old and that was a home place, later a funeral home and a present-day church was destroyed by fire overnight. It’s historic from a standpoint of its age, but also because of the well-known and respected families and organizations that have used it, including the Kesler family, the Flowers family and other present day owners.
No one was injured according to City of Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell when the former Flowers Funeral Home Building at the corner of North Garnett Street and Hamilton Street burned.
An investigation is underway, and Cordell will join Kevin Bullock and George Rush at 11 a.m. today on TownTalk, if he can step away from that investigation for a few moments.
Cordell indicated the fire started about 4 a.m. or 4:15 a.m. and was fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived.
There are pictures and comments on the WIZS Facebook page.
Another popular, local Facebook page, Remember When…(Reminiscing About Henderson, NC) has a video of the fire and a place to comment.