By Presley Harrison, Shield Editor
On Thursday, Nov. 21, senior Zoe Richardson signed to play college volleyball for the University of Tampa Spartans. UT is an NCAA Division II school and competes in the Sunshine State Conference.
For Richardson, a dynamic student-athlete at North Raleigh Christian Academy, volleyball isn’t just a passion—it’s a way to connect with people around her. Richardson first played volleyball at a camp in third grade. She was uncomfortable and vowed never to play again; little did she know she would earn a position on her school volleyball team a few years later and eventually commit to playing on the collegiate level at the University of Tampa.
Although she was determined to quit, her dad, Corey Richardson, convinced her to try one more time. “[The more] I kept doing it, [it became] a passion that kept growing the more and more I played,” said Richardson. As she continued to play and compete, Richardson discovered her love for the sport’s intensity, as well as its dependence on strong team camaraderie and communication.
Participating in the volleyball program at NRCA has taught Richardson a lot about how she can shine God’s light to the world through her sport. “NRCA prepared me not only physically but mentally, especially training me how to be confident—in myself and in my faith—and how I can have confidence on and off the court, knowing that whether I play good, whether I play bad, it doesn’t matter because it’s just about each point and having that posture of loving Jesus. [I know that] when I play, it’s an act of worship to God and to recognize that volleyball’s a gift and to use it for God,” said Richardson.
There were many treasured memories made along the way—obvious ones, like Richardson leading the NRCA volleyball team to win their ninth state title in 10 years, but also ones that appeal to Richardson’s favorite part of the game: the team culture and connection to God.
“I would even say the little things [were my favorite]. Right before states, actually, that was my favorite moment of the entire season because we all just got to sit around and worship, and it was the most anointed time ever. You could tell the Holy Spirit was in the room, and it was probably the best thing ever to see everyone was just ready to go. We all were just submitting to God's will, no matter what happened, for the game outcome, but we were just ready to go,” she said.
Richardson plans to study marketing and sales while competing in high-level athletics in her post-high school education. “[Business] is the top program, and they’re top [tier] in all their sports,” said Richardson. The University of Tampa, known for being a powerhouse in the sports world, has won 132 Sunshine State Conference titles and 26 national championships, including four in women’s volleyball since 2006. They have also ranked in the top 30 of 300 schools in NCAA Division II sports for the past decade.
Richardson’s journey would not have been possible without the many coaches, teachers, friends, and family members who helped her navigate the struggles of sport. She would like to specifically thank her father, Corey Richardson, for always being her number one supporter and post-game analyst and her grandfather, Chandler Richardson, for his constant enthusiasm and support over the years.
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