On Tuesday, local Faith Christian Academy student Raelyn Gordon signed her letter of intent to play volleyball for the Trinity Baptist College Eagles. Following the school’s chapel service, the athlete officially put pen to paper that morning.
The Eagles Head Volleyball Coach, Carlin Poyner, is happy to have Gordon as a part of the team and program, and the coach spoke about the kind of person Trinity will be getting during the event.
“We believe that she is going to make a huge impact not only on the court but also just through her purpose […] it is not just a plus for us athletically but also just as someone who is coming to our team who will also give a huge impact in the spiritual life and the community that we have,” Coach Poyner said.
Raelyn’s new volleyball coach looks for more than just talent on the court or a drive for a particular sport. Heading into her third year coaching the Eagles, Coach Poyner specifically looks for “dedication to the values” that the institution holds sacred. It is crucial that prospective student athletes share similar ideals to Trinity Baptist College.
Before her signing, a pastor spoke to the congregation of children of all ages, and one of the topics he discussed was finding a calling in their lives. Coach Poyner noted that Trinity will help her to develop the knowledge, the wisdom and the relationships that will be necessary for Gordon to “give glory to the Lord and share His gospel” during her time in college and throughout her life.
Raelyn is the first player from Faith Christian that Coach Poyner has recruited but the second athlete overall that Trinity has plucked from the local academic institution. The first player, Marilyn Gordon, who was adopted by Raelyn’s grandparents, also went on to serve as a program manager for the Trinity Eagles and as a teacher at Faith Christian Academy.
A goal that she has had since grade school, Raelyn is grateful for the opportunity to make that dream a reality by playing collegiate volleyball for Coach Poyner and company. The local athlete recounted a pair of memories from those early days that would eventually culminate with her pledge on Tuesday.
“Ever since I started volleyball in seventh grade, I have loved it,” Raelyn said. “When I was in second grade, I would stand out on the playground with my friends who were way too young to play volleyball and be like, ‘This is how you do it, and you have to practice with me because I am going to play someday.’ […] The first time I ever practiced with [my dad] in the front yard, my arms were red, and I was just smiling the whole time. So, I just can not wait, because I have always wanted to play volleyball in college.”
Now, she will get to live that dream, but it is not the end of her journey. It is merely the beginning. It will be many long hours of work and practice, but she will have the support of her community as she embarks on this brave new chapter of her career.
