Ava Pate had long hoped to keep playing volleyball after high school, but the Southern Nash High senior was worried it might get in the way of her pursuit of a nursing degree. Instead, she found a perfect solution: Lenoir Community College.
Pate fielded interest from volleyball programs at fellow National Junior College Athletic Association member Pitt Community College as well as North Carolina Wesleyan University of the NCAA Division III ranks before opting to join the Lancers as one of new head coach Jorja Tuten’s first recruits.
“I decided, for long term, that I just wanted to play for two years and that a community college was going to be more of what I wanted to do, so then I could continue and focus on my career,” said Pate, the daughter of Emily and Jody Pate of Bailey. “But also I went and toured Lenoir, and they have a wonderful coach. They have a wonderful campus and their nursing program is fantastic.”
