[Volleyball] Volleyball Signs Hummert

FLETCHER, N.C. - The Montreat Cavaliers were pleased to announce the signing of Gracie Hummert of Veritas Christian Academy to a national letter of intent this past Friday. The senior will join the Cavs in the fall of 2018.

There was an electric atmosphere at Veritas when head coach Kristy Kamer arrived to have Hummert commit to Montreat. The entire student body of the K-12 school was gathered in the gym to cheer on Hummert and the signing. 

"We are extremely excited to have Gracie sign a letter of intent with Montreat to continue her career with us," said Kamer. "I'm excited to see where God leads her on and off the court."

When asked about her decision to attend Montreat, the senior's enthusiasm was evident. "As soon as I was on the campus, I knew that I wanted to go to school there," said Hummert. "When I sat in on class, I was immediately excited to get my education there. The team and the coach were amazing and I'm super-pumped to play for them." 

While the gymnasium buzzed with excitement, Hummert's parents - Tom & Andrea Hummert - described their own excitement about their daughter's decision to attend a Faith-based institution like Montreat. Both parents have some connection to Montreat and its Faith community.

"Gracie was with Coach Kamer and the team during their workout and she said 'this might be the place for me,'" said Andrea. "She loves the architecture. She loves the peacefulness. She loved the kids at the school." 

Tom knew of Montreat College through a church friend who had a relative attend Montreat and for whom the school and its athletics proved a formative chapter in his life. "We were very excited about Gracie being interested in going there," said Tom.

The younger Hummert toured both larger Division I schools, where she considered continuing her academic and volleyball careers, as well as smaller private schools. "I liked Montreat the most. I loved the stone buildings [of campus]; I like being outdoors and it's an outdoors place. Coming from a small private school, I like going to a bigger school like a college, but not a giant school," said Hummert. The senior included ECU, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Liberty among her larger campus visits.

Gracie's been playing volleyball since sixth grade, and was part of an Xcel Volleyball Performance team that took second place at the AAU Nationals this year, beating out 140 top teams in the country in the process. She is a four-year VCA varsity team member and Xcel National Team member. Veritas Christian Academy is currently 10-0 under head coach Lee Benfield and assistant, Eddie Bingham. Hummert has 113 kills, 23 digs, two assists, 23 aces, and a total of 136 points for Veritas this season.  

"I have watched Gracie play with my daughter Carlee, since they were in sixth grade," said Coach Benfield.  "Gracie is a phenomenal striker and a defensive player. She is always striving to be better and grow as an athlete. She is continuously asking me what she can do to improve, and is a vital contributor to our team."