C-G right side hitter commits to Tennessee Martin

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Allie Whimpey, a senior right side hitter at Cary-Grove, gave an oral commitment to University of Tennessee Martin last week, ruling out Coastal Carolina (S.C.). Whimpey will receive a full athletic scholarship for volleyball and could contribute immediately for the Skyhawks next fall.

“You feel like you belong there,” said Whimpey, who will enter her second year on varsity for the Trojans. “It was a really hard decision between Coastal Carolina and Tennessee Martin, but I just loved that community feeling I got when I visited (UTM).”

UTM head coach Darrin McClure initially saw Whimpey play during her club volleyball season with Sky High. McClure was watching Prairie Ridge star Taylor Humm and also was impressed with Whimpey but thought she already had made a commitment.

Whimpey e-mailed McClure, clarifying that she hadn’t yet committed anywhere, and the recruiting really began, Whimpey said.

“With this team, every day is going to be like a tryout,” Whimpey said. “Every day I know I’ll have to earn my spot.”

That’s one of the reasons C-G coach Patty Langanis knows Whimpey will succeed at UTM.

“She’s really worked hard for everything,” Langanis said. “It comes easily to some players, but Allie has had to work for it and she’s put in the time in the weight room, conditioning and extra hours in the gym. She truly loves the game and is committed to working hard.

“Tennessee Martin is getting a great player; Allie is playing some incredible volleyball right now.”

The Skyhawks, a Division I program, were 8-21 overall and 2-16 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

-Maureen Lynch