Meet the Trinity Titans. Pictured, front (l-r): Maddison Ward, McKinley Ward. Middle row (l-r): Olivia Grimsley, Julie Smith, Karlee Mitchell, Averi McIntyre, Dakota Bragg, Neveah Bragg, Grace Burrell, Lilly Dunn, Ellie Fontaine, Isabella Burrell. Back (l-r): Charity Bryson, Brandi Thomas, Amanda Luders, Hannah Burrell, Leanna Beck, Katherine Burke, Nichole Bragg, Allison Highsmith, Jess Hilderhoff, Rheagan Dalton, Morgan McIntyre, Katie Langford, Samantha Spears, Anna Park, Bella McDonald.
When Faith Christian Academy in Mt. Airy closed just before the start of the 2019-2020 school year, it left students and parents scrambling to make other arrangements. It also left FCA’s volleyball team out in the cold. The team, made up mostly of homeschoolers, had played under the FCA banner for several years. Without a school to sponsor them, they faced the possibility of having to disband.
“I had approached a couple of other small private schools and they couldn’t take on the team at the time,” says coach Karen Thomas. Then, she got an idea.
Knowing that Trinity Classical School had helped FCA families by offering them reduced tuition, she thought maybe the school would help out her players as well.
“I called Trinity and I said, ‘First of all, I want to let you know I appreciate what you’re doing for our students. Would you be willing to take on a volleyball team?'” recounts Thomas. She met with the school’s headmaster who then took her request to Trinity’s school board and to Hazel Creek Church (where Trinity is housed). Thomas says “Within 24 hours he called and said ‘How soon can you move over?'”
“Divinely inspired”
Thomas’ joy at the thought of keeping the team together was briefly overshadowed by the daunting challenge of figuring out how to pay for it. The players needed new uniforms and the team needed money to pay referees and travel expenses for their away games.
“I had moms calling me saying ‘If there is anything we need to do to make this stay for our kids, we will do it,'” she says. “And they did.”
Parents donated money and their time. They reached out to local businesses that had previously donated to Faith Christian and asked if, instead of returning those donations, they might use them to support the volleyball team. The businesses readily agreed and the Trinity Titans volleyball program was born.
“It was truly divinely inspired,” Thomas says.
Twenty-nine former FCA volleyball players made the move and one student from Trinity joined them. The varsity team plays against other private Christian schools; the junior varsity team plays in the middle school public league.
“It’s so much more than just playing ball. Some come from hard lives and volleyball has given them an outlet to make friends and to have something to look forward to.”
Coach Thomas’ daughter Brandi has been on the team for seven years. She says the move from FCA to Trinity was very stressful at first. “You get used to a certain home, but when we came here they were very inviting and very kind to us, so, it was an easy transition once we got here.”
More than just playing ball
The Titans hosted several training camps and guest coaches this year. “It’s actually been good,” says 10th grader Samantha Spears. This was her first year on the volleyball team and she says “I’ve learned a lot.” Brandi adds, “This year we’ve been really competitive and have surprised other teams with how we’ve grown.”
Coach Thomas says the team is “very mighty, both in spirit and personality. There are so many stories of things these girls have overcome – mountains and hurdles – just to play.” Although they’re not together during the school day like many of their athletic counterparts, the camaraderie of these homeschooled players doesn’t end at the net; they get together off the court for things such as birthday parties and holiday gatherings.
“It’s so much more than just playing ball,” Thomas says. “Some come from hard lives and volleyball has given them an outlet to make friends and to have something to look forward to.”
The Trinity Titans varsity and JV volleyball teams wrapped up their season on October 7 with 5-4 records.
While statisticians would call that a ‘losing’ season, don’t tell that to Coach Thomas. After finding a new school to sponsor the team and donors to support it, Thomas says this season has been all about the winning.
“Not only are they investing in a volleyball team, they’re investing in the future of these young girls,” she says of everyone who is helping to keep the program alive. “I thank Trinity. I thank the parents and the community. They have truly answered prayers for these young ladies.”
