Eden’s Henry headed to UNC
Volleyball standout commits as a junior
By Keith McShea -- News Sports Reporter
Updated: 05/06/08 9:46 AM
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- Eden's Heather Henry, one of the most dominating hitters to play in Western New York, has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina.
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It’s the exceptional high school athlete who can earn a Division I scholarship.
But rarest among those is one who can accept a scholarship offer during their junior year.
Eden volleyball standout Heather Henry is a member of that elite class after she verbally committed to the University of North Carolina.
“It feels great to have it done — I’ve been searching for two years,” said the 6-foot outside hitter. “It’s very exciting. Most schools [recruiting Division I players] want it to be done quickly, too, so I’m glad it’s over.”
She selected the Tar Heels of the Atlantic Coast Conference over the University at Buffalo, Hawaii and South Carolina. UNC went 15-16 overall and 11-11 in the ACC in 2007.
“I watched North Carolina play and their level of play is intense,” said Henry. “I like the coaches, I got along with the players and I just loved the campus. The academics are top five in the nation, so it’s a really great opportunity.”
Henry started getting letters from colleges during her freshman season. At the close of the high school volleyball season last fall, Henry had already received scholarship offers from Seton Hall, Canisius and UB.
North Carolina offered Henry the scholarship after watching her compete for Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club’s national 18-under team in February and March at tournaments in Ohio, Baltimore and Indianapolis. Henry exchanged e-mails with the coaching staff (permitted by the NCAA) and made two visits to UNC’s campus in Chapel Hill before making her decision. Henry will also attend North Carolina’s summer volleyball camp.
Henry has made the All- Western New York first-team twice. She was a finalist for national Junior of the Year last season after being nominated for the sophomore award.
Western New York has produced outstanding volleyball talent (Lancaster’s Stephanie Jansma completed her collegiate career at North Carolina this year) but high school coaches mention Henry among the best ever.
Her size, combined with outstanding strength and jumping ability make her a terrific, hard-hitting weapon. She averaged six kills a game.
Eden coach Stephen Pierce — who has won six state championships in his 11 seasons with the Raiders — has said of Henry: “When she graduates, she will definitely be the best player Western New York has seen and possibly the most dominant hitter the state has seen.”
Henry credited her coach for not only helping her learn the sport but also for contacting colleges and sending videotapes to recruiters.
“Mr. Pierce has taught [me] everything about volleyball pretty much,” she said. “He’s been my coach since I was 11.”
Signing standouts
• Catie Wickline of Orchard Park will continue her tennis career at West Virginia of the Big East. She plans to major in business. Wickline has been undefeated in ECIC I during four varsity years.
• Three Williamsville North athletes signed national letters of intent.
Leslie Ahern will play field hockey at Lock Haven (Pa.), which has won four straight Northeast Conference regular-season titles and won its second straight NEC tournament title last season to earn a spot in the NCAA Division I play-in game.
Emily Curry will compete in track and field at the University at Albany while Patricia Kennery will join the softball program at Niagara.
• Holly Johnson, an Amherst native attending the Culver (Ind.) Academies, has signed with Rutgers of the Big East. Johnson set the Amherst High mark for strikeouts in a game (21) before transferring.
• Stephen Pochatko, who holds several swimming records at Starpoint, signed with Canisius for a full academic and athletic scholarship and will major in biology.
• Maryvale softball player Toni Caruso received a partial athletic and partial academic scholarship to Division II Gannon in Erie, Pa.
• Send information regarding athletes whose college signings have not already been published by The News to the e-mail address below.
