Central High's Rebekah Hill, seated, recently signed scholarship papers to play volleyball with Division II King University, located in Bristol, Tennessee. She is shown above with her parents, Jim and Audrey Hill.
photo by Dennis Norwood
In a library, surrounded by family, friends and coaches, Central High School two-sport standout Rebekah Hill celebrated her recent signing to continue her volleyball career with King University, located in Bristol, Tennessee. Saying, “This is definitely a moment of unbridled joy,” assistant volleyball coach Don Brock kicked off the festivities.
Hill, an All-District and All-Region selection in volleyball and basketball said that while originally playing basketball from a young age, “as soon as she hit a volleyball she was in love with the new sport.” And, all the better for the Tornado, currently 19-13 overall and 11-5 in Conference Carolinas.
A devotee to the sport, Hill said she never considered waiting for any basketball offers, although she has been an All District and All Region in the sport.
Central basketball coach Rick May paid Hill a resounding compliment when he remarked, “A real compliment to her mom and dad (Jim and Audrey Hill). She is competitive and respectful.”
As for volleyball offers, she was considering three schools to start with: Cumberland University, University of the Cumberlands and King. Her decision to sign with King happened on a visit to the school of just over 2,900 students.
Hill said that while on campus, “I just got that moment of knowing this is where I want to be.” One of the main reasons she got that moment was that, “I just loved the coach.” Morris Cephas is the King head coach.
“I went back and spent the night with a friend and practiced with the girls,” she said. “They were genuinely nice, a real family,” Hill said.
Mainly an outside hitter, Hill’s career stats are impressive for a three-year starter. She had 994 kills, 798 digs, 201 aces and 65 blocks. One of the first homeschoolers to play at a local high school three years ago when the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) first authorized the new rule, Hill played her sophomore year in that category, but enrolled at Central as a student for her junior and senior years.
Ken Smith, Central’s assistant basketball coach said of Hill, “(She) is a very coachable young lady, a very bright young lady.” Someone asked if she’d ever gotten any grade lower than an A and Hill replied, "No, I haven’t.”
In remarks that pretty much summed up the talented athlete, Central assistant volleyball coach Laurie McGinley stated, “A player any coach would be proud of. The verse from Galatians 6:9 describes Rebekah perfectly.”
Contact Dennis Norwood at sportsshooter614@gmail.com; follow him on Twitter at @DennisENorwood