On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, Council Rock North senior Hunter Stevens was honored at a special news conference for signing a letter of intent to play volleyball at George Mason University.
Hunter Stevens – George Mason University (Volleyball)
Major: NeuroscienceFinal list of colleges: George Mason, Penn State, Ohio State
Reasons for choosing George Mason: “I was talking to Penn State and Ohio State, but George Mason came along and gave me a good offer. I’ve visited the campus, and I’ve seen them play a few times. Just the guys there – it just seemed like the type of guys I get along with. It’s a good fit for me personally. I’m definitely really excited to get out there and play.”
What was the progression that led you to playing college at the collegiate level? “Honestly, when I was in seventh grade, someone made the comment, ‘Oh, I’m going to play boys’ volleyball.’ I was like, ‘That’s not going to be fun at all.’ Then coach (Mike) Flaherty brought me into the sport my freshman year and said, ‘You could be a good player.’
“Every year it’s been growing, and last year, I thought, ‘This is a fun sport. I could play this in college.’ I’ve only been playing for three-and-a-half years, and I’ve been balancing it with basketball. I’ve been able to play both and push myself. Some kids start younger, but around here, there are no boys’ volleyball clubs, so that’s why most kids start in high school.”
Council Rock North coach Susan Kim says: “The one thing I noticed before he even stepped on the court was his leadership. He’s a natural leader, and he’s very encouraging. The kids look up to him in general, and the things he says are positive, but he’s still pushing them to get the best out of them.
“Hunter works hard. He’s constantly evaluating what he needs to do in order to become a better volleyball player, so he’s never satisfied. He just works hard, and he’s a good example, not just by what he says but through his actions as well.
“The thing that stands out volleyball skill-wise is his hitting. Because he’s so tall and because he jumps as well, he makes contact with the ball at a very high point, and he almost hits above people at times. His offensive game is very strong. He sees the court, and he moves the ball a lot. He doesn’t just swing to the same spot. He looks for open spots, and he hits around the perimeter, and they’re very hard to dig.”
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