BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Head Coach Greg Goral welcomes two new members to the volleyball team in Allena Heath and Emerson Gerali who will join the Camels beginning fall 2016.
The two newcomers will fill the voids in the roster left by outgoing seniors Mary Crema and Katelyn Layden.
Allena Heath – 6'1 Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter
Heath, from Fort Worth, Texas, is four-year letter winner from All Saints Episcopal High School where she played middle blocker/outside hitter under head coach Kailee May. As a freshman and sophomore, Heath played middle blocker helping her team make the playoffs. She transitioned to outside hitter her junior year and helped the team place fifth at the Southwest Preparatory Conference State tournament. As a senior, her team finished second at the SPC State tournament. Heath recorded a 4.16 kills per set average while hitting .295 as well as averaging 0.79 aces per set and 2.5 digs per set her senior season.
Heath was a member of very successful club teams in Texas in addition to her high school team. She played on the Tejas Volleyball club team during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Heath helped the team finish ninth at the American Division Girl's Junior National Championships, as a member of the 2012 14-1 Rox team. On the 15-1 Nfinity team, she helped the team claim third at the Tour of Texas Finals, second in the North Texas Regional Bid tournament and 13th at the NDGJNC.
Heath played the Texas Advantage Volleyball club in 2014 and played on the 16 Black team that placed second at the 16 Open Big South National Qualifier and third at the 16 Open Lone Star Classic National Qualifier as well as second at the 16 Open Girl's Junior National Championships. Most recently, Heath played on the 17 Black team that finished first at the Tour of Texas, the 17 Open Las Vegas Classic, the 17 Open North East National Qualifier and the 17 Open Lone Star Classic National Qualifier. The team placed second in the 17 Open Triple Crown National Championship and third at the 17 Open Girls' Junior National Championships.
She is the daughter of Allen and Lisa Heath and has a younger sister Mackenzie (14). Her father played college football at West Texas State University. Heath was an A/B Honor Roll student and earned the Sophomore English award (2013). She intends to major in elementary education while attending Campbell.
"Allena possesses the ability to compete any position in the front row," said Goral. "At 6'1, she has the length to be an effective attacker and blocker and she the ball control to play 6 rotations. But what I like most is that Allena has a big smile on her face every day, she is a great teammate and person, and is a tireless worker."
Emerson Gerali – 5'7 Libero/Defensive Specialist
Gerali, from Lakewood, Colo., is a four-year letter winner from Lakewood High school where she played libero/defensive specialist under head coach Liz Armbrustmacher. As a freshman, she helped the team finish fifth in the state (19-8) as the starting libero during the state tournament. During her sophomore year, she earned all-conference honorable mention laurels and helped the team win the Jefferson League. Gerali led the team in service aces as a junior and was named to the second team all-conference.
She had a record-breaking senior year for the Tigers recording 453 digs and 62 aces, both school records. Gerali finished her senior season averaging 5.3 digs per set and 18.9 per match. She set a new career digs record of 892 as a Lakewood Tiger and averaged 3.9 digs per set in her high school career. The Tigers finished 16-8 on the season and had the fifth highest team GPA in the state.
In addition to her high school team, Gerali has played for the Colorado Juniors club team since 2011. She helped the 14 Matt team finish seventh in the 14 Open in 2011-12, the 15 Shannon team place 17th in the 15 Open (12-13) and the 16 Sherri team claim a sixth place finish at the 16 Open (13-14). Gerali helped the 17 Sherri team finish ninth at the 18 Open in Las Vegas, 13th at the Crossroads 18 Open, fourth at the Kansas 17 Open and fourth at the Minnesota 17 Open.
She is the daughter of Michael and Valerie Gerali and her older sister, Megan (19), plays volleyball at Caldwell University. Gerali earned academic all-state first team laurels, an AP Scholar award, and academic high honors while at Lakewood. She intends to major in business while at Campbell.
"What stands out about Emerson is her ability to serve, pass and defend at a high level," said Goral. "Those skills are imperative for a collegiate libero. She has a nasty serve, good length to cover lots of ground and reads very well defensively. Emerson plays with a lot of composure, loves the game, her teammates and has strong leadership ability. She will fit in really well with our squad."
