By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – App State head volleyball coach Sarah Rumely Noble announced the addition of five athletes to the team’s incoming 2023 class on Wednesday. Joining the Mountaineers for the 2023 season as true freshmen will be Caroline Farthing, Delanie Grevengoed, Akila Hardie, Ava Leahy, and Taylor McNear.
“I am so excited about our 2023 class,” said Noble. “The athleticism that this class possesses is going to make an immediate impact on our team. They are driven and motivated to take App to the top.”
Caroline Farthing | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Boone, N.C. | Watauga HS
Joining the Mountaineers as a defensive specialist/libero will be Boone’s very own Caroline Farthing. While competing at Watauga High School, Farthing earned two Conference Player of the Year awards, was named Best of Preps Volleyball Player of the Year twice, and nabbed four All-Conference accolades. The Boone native also competed for Synergy Volleyball Club, as well as Twin City Volleyball Academy. Her club teams placed first and second at multiple AAU Tournaments.
Farthing has three siblings. Her sister, Rebekah, currently plays volleyball at Georgia Southern and her sister Sydney played volleyball at App State from 2016 to 2019. Her mother, Angela Farthing, also competed in collegiate athletics. App State is a family school for Farthing, as her grandmother Sharon and grandfather Harold attended and gained degrees from App State. Farthing intends to major in supply chain management and enjoys basketball, volleyball, and hiking.
Why Farthing Chose App State: “I chose App State because I love this town and the tight knit community. I also love the coaching staff and the family atmosphere the team upholds.”
Rumely Noble on Farthing: “Caroline is a complete volleyball player. Her understanding of the game, ability to pass, and calm demeanor will be a great addition for us. She is a Mountaineer through and through and I couldn’t be happier that she decided to stay home in Boone for her next four years.”
Delanie Grevengoed | Outside Hitter | South Holland, Ill. | Chicago Christian HS
Delanie Grevengoed will be joining the Mountaineers’ squad from South Holland, Ill., where she competed as an outside hitter for Chicago Christian High School. Grevengoed nabbed three All-Conference honors and was named Second-Team All-State her junior year and First-Team All-State her senior year. The South Holland, Ill. native tallied 1,000 kills during her high school career. She also competed for the Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy. With Michio Chicago, Grevengoed helped the team to 2021 USAV Nationals All-Tournament Team honors.
Grevengoed has five siblings and enjoys hanging out with family. She intends to major in psychology. Her sister, Logan, currently plays volleyball at Western Kentucky.
Why Grevengoed Chose App State: Grevengoed chose App State for volleyball, academics and location.
Rumely Noble on Grevengoed: “Delanie is a great volleyball player in all aspects of the game. She understands the game at a high level and she is the type of athlete that will continue to get better deep into her college career. Offensively, she plays with a ton of range and has every shot in her repertoire. We are really excited that Delanie is a Mountaineer.”
Akila Hardie | Middle Blocker | High Point, N.C. | Southwest Guilford HS
Hailing from High Point, N.C., Akila Hardie is set to become a Mountaineer as a middle blocker for the 2023 season. While at Southwest Guilford, Hardie garnered 2022 Offensive Player of the Year accolades and helped her team to 2019-20 Piedmont Triad 3A Conference Tournament titles. The three-time All-Conference and two-time MVP honoree also competes for the Chapel Hill Area Volleyball Club.
Hardie intends to major in biology. Hardie’s aunt, Treka McMillian, played women’s basketball at South Carolina and was a long-time college basketball coach, most recently at Western Carolina.
Why Hardie Chose App State: “I was drawn to the family environment and it immediately felt like home as I formed connections with the coaches and the girls on the team. I’m so excited for the vision that the coaches have for this program and I just had to be a part of it.”
Rumely Noble on Hardie: “I can’t wait for Akila to be in the Black and Gold. She is an elite level blocker and her athleticism and speed are going to be really fun to coach. On top of her volleyball qualities, Akila has a contagious personality that is going to impact us in amazing ways.”
Ava Leahy | Middle Blocker | Charlotte, N.C. | Providence HS
Ava Leahy, who will compete as a middle blocker for the Mountaineers next fall, will be coming to the High Country from Charlotte, N.C. Leahy attended Providence High School, where she was named 2022 Conference Player of the Year, team MVP, and team captain. Over the course of her high school career, she collected three All-Region and three All-Conference honors. The Charlotte, N.C. native competed for Carolina Union Volleyball Club. Leahy helped the Carolina Union club team to a 17 Open National bid as well as a top-50 ranking in the country. Leahy earned Big South All-Tournament Team honors and was named to the 2022 JVA watchlist.
Leahy has three siblings and intends to major in physical therapy and psychology. She enjoys traveling, and listening to music pre-match.
Why Leahy Chose App State: “Everything about App State felt like home. I love the atmosphere, my coaches, and the team. That paired with good academics along with being able to stay close to home made it the perfect fit for me. I couldn’t be happier.”
Rumely Noble on Leahy: “Ava is going to impact our team in multiple ways and the first is her work ethic. She is a worker and I have never seen her take a play off. She has a lightning fast arm, and her ability to attack off of one foot will add great versatility for us. We are thrilled that she chose to wear the Black and Gold.”
Taylor McNear | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Holly Spring, N.C. | Green Hope HS
Joining the Mountaineers from Holly Springs, N.C. will be defensive specialist/libero Taylor McNear. During her high school career, McNear was named to the Big South Top Liberos list and earned All-Conference honors. The Holly Springs, N.C. native also competed for the CHAVC club team, which earned a USAV Open National Bid.
McNear has five siblings and has a cousin who plays basketball at Washburn University. She enjoys watching HGTV, cooking, and collecting Starbucks cups. McNear intends to major in either interior design or business.
Why McNear Chose App State: “The environment is different. It’s amazing. The coaches, players, and staff are all so supportive of each other and towards everyone’s successes. The campus is beautiful as well.”
Rumely Noble on McNear: “Taylor will add a ton of athleticism to our libero position. She is lightning fast, gritty and is all over the court. There is no ball she can’t get to and she is going to be an athlete that is super fun to watch. We can’t wait for her to get here.”
