Volleyball seniors Tanna Aljoe and Morgan Cormier are at their strongest as their final season on the court for NC State begins.
After a rough season last year, the two seniors are looking to leave their legacy by taking the team all the way to the ACC finals.
“The chemistry we have and all of our hard work as a team will help us reach our goals,” Aljoe said.
The Wolfpack had an exciting start to the season in South Carolina this past weekend, winning all three matches in straight sets.
“It was a really fun weekend,” Cormier said. “Being on the road was an adjustment. Everyone, especially the underclassmen, stepped up. The energy was good the entire weekend.”
Cormier is especially ecstatic to be playing so well, after an intense ACL injury took her out of play in the 2013 season.
“It was the most challenging thing I have ever had to go through,” Cormier said. “It takes a long time mentally to come back. Thankfully, I have had a lot of support from my teammates. This year I feel stronger than I ever have.”
Cormier’s statistics on the court show her coming back fiercer than ever after her injury. In the 2014 season alone, she played in 25 matches and switched between middle and right-side hitter. Cormier stacked 53 blocks overall, with 10 kills against Florida State and nine against rival UNC-Chapel Hill.
In the recent South Carolina tournament, the California native had 11 kills and 10 digs in one match.
Aljoe earns her time in the spotlight as well. In the 2014 season, she collected 69 digs and 15 kills from the setter position. Against North Carolina Central this weekend, Aljoe used her strong serves to get the Wolfpack leading 10-0 in the third set.
Aljoe, a transfer from San Diego State, says NC State was the best choice for her.
“I got the opportunity to come here on a visit, and it really just fell into place,” Aljoe said. “NC State has become a home to me, and I really appreciate my teammates support. Morgan, especially, has been with me from the start.”
Aljoe’s love for volleyball was coincidental, but she says she does not regret making the decision to play.
“I started volleyball after finishing gymnastics,” Aljoe said. “Switching to a team sport was a challenge, but I’m so happy I did. I’ve made some really good friends, and I’ve had terrific memories.”
The teammates recalled their best memories on the Wolfpack court thus far.
“My freshman year we beat Duke and Carolina,” Cormier said. “There were so many fans, and the band was there. We were passionate on the bench and on the court that night.”
For the two of them, this season is about making sure their effort pays off; it’s the same for after graduation, too.
“My sophomore year we played Duke at home,” Aljoe said. “We swept Duke in three sets, and at the point when they were near the top of the ACC.”
Cormier looks to coach volleyball locally while she networks with fellow business men and women with her business administration degree.
As for Aljoe, she plans on earning her MBA and possibly pursuing working at a nonprofit organization. She also plans on playing volleyball, but on the beach this time.
Cormier and Aljoe have proven themselves forces to be reckoned with on the court, and fans will be sure to follow their success throughout the rest of their final season.
