Senior Zara Waheed cried when she learned of her teammate senior Hannah Wander’s college plans, but the tears were not out of sadness.
Instead, Waheed was elated that Wander had committed to play volleyball for North Carolina State University (NCSU).
“When I heard Hannah committed, I literally cried in her lap and told her that I would come to every single one of her games and scream for her until I went hoarse,” Waheed said. “I am so, so proud of her.”
Wander first got involved with volleyball after her older sister Olivia did. “She played, so I wanted to play too,” she said.
Wander has progressed from playing on a Carrboro Parks and Recreation team to playing club volleyball for Chapel Hill Area Volleyball Club, NC Volleyball Academy and Carolina Edge Volleyball.
Wander, who was named the Defensive MVP of the 2017 state tournament and has made first team All Conference three times, has played at the varsity level for Chapel Hill High School since her freshman year, which she originally found intimidating.
“All the upperclassmen were welcoming and were wonderful leaders. Now it is on me to be the leader, and I hope that I am able to have a good impact on the younger members of the program,” she said.
Wander has played as libero for the Tigers since her freshman year. As a libero, Wander plays in the back row and may not serve, block or attempt to block. Her current stats include 11.0 average digs per match and 291 serve receptions this season.
While these stats show her success on the court, her favorite part of playing for Chapel Hill High School has been her teammates.
“We are all there to support each other and cheer each other on,” she said. “I have made some of my best friends through Chapel Hill High School volleyball, and it really does feel like a family.”
Daphne Stam, who has served as the assistant coach for the Chapel Hill volleyball program and coached Wander for three years, commended Wander’s skill and leadership on the court.
“[Hannah] has always been a player the team depends on by virtue of her savant skill level and steadfastness and reliability in her position as libero,” Stam said. “This season, she seems to have taken her senior status to heart by evolving into a more active leader, being more vocal both in team huddles and between points on the court.”
Wander is excited about more than just the volleyball team at NCSU, looking forward to the opportunities provided in the classroom.
“State was my top choice for academics when I committed; I feel comfortable there and love the campus,” she said.
Wander was recently awarded the Project CAFE (Calling All Future Educators) award, which recognizes those who have potential in teaching a world language.
“I know it is not always going to be easy, and I am excited for the challenges,” she said. “I am incredibly lucky and grateful to have this opportunity, and I want to experience everything that comes with it.”
Wander has helped the Lady Tigers capture the Big Eight conference championship. The team’s other notable highlights include the naming of junior Sammy Breschi as the National Player of the Week for North Carolina in late September and the selection of juniors Julia Charney and Courtney Zwikker to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Phenom list.
