By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — An outstanding Pickens High School volleyball stalwart made the next step of her athletic and educational career official Friday morning.

Haley Holcombe signed with Spartanburg Methodist College in the Pickens High School gymnasium as friends, family and coaches looked on.

Holcombe said the Spartanburg Methodist team has really welcomed her in.

“The coach was super sweet,” Holcombe said. “It’s just all like a family over there.”

Holcombe has been playing volleyball since she was in the second grade.

“I played middle from seventh to eighth, then I made varsity and started as a freshman here,” Holcombe said.

Haley Holcombe accepted a volleyball scholarship from Spartanburg Methodist College on Friday morning. Front row, from left: Rex Holcombe, Haley Holcombe, Hannah Holcombe and Rae Holcombe. Back row: Spartanburg Methodist coach Megan Aiello, Pickens coach Jennifer Gravely and Pickens assistant coach Lauren Carlisle.

“It’s been great,” Holcombe said of playing for Pickens. “We’ve always made it to the end of the playoffs, so we’ve always been really good.”

Holcombe hopes to help Spartanburg Methodist win a conference championship.

Spartanburg Methodist College head coach Megan Aiello said Holcombe’s leadership on the court made her stand out.

“Her playing ability speaks for itself,” she said. “I like her leadership, her experience. She’s going to have the ability to come in as a freshman and be a starting setter and contribute immediately for us, so we’re excited for that.”

Aiello has seen Holcombe play on many occasions.

“We’ve had our eye on her for the past several years,” she said. “We’re pretty excited to be able to get her there at Spartanburg Methodist.”

Pickens coach Jennifer Gravely has coached Holcombe for four years on varsity.

“She has been a wonderful addition to our program,” Gravely said. “She has been the reason that we kind of got back on track after a few years of not going far in the playoffs.

During Holcombe’s freshman year, the team made it to the finals, losing to North Myrtle Beach, Gravely said.

“The next two years, we won back-to-back state championships,” Gravely said. “We lost in the Upper State finals last year.”

Holcombe has been a starter for four years, she said.

“She’s played all the way around,” Gravely said. “She’s been a terrific leader.”

Holcombe was a co-captain this season.

It’s rare for a freshman to be a starter, Gravely said.

“I don’t always keep freshmen — it just kind of depends on if they’re going to get to play or not play,” she said. “She had the talent and the skills. She’s just a tremendous blocker, a great setter. I think she’s played the same position in the starting rotation for four years. It’s going to be very different next year.

“It’s just going to be hard to replace her. I’m super excited for her and this opportunity that she has.”