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Coach Henry Chuang is already anticipating two incoming recruits to have significant roles for Lees-McRae.
The Bobcats announced recently that high school graduates Nicholas Cookingham and Drew Sims have committed to join the ConfCarolinas team for the 2019 season.
Cookingham, a 6-foot-4 setter from Villa Park, Illinois, was a Second-Team All-State selection as a senior. He also ended the 2018 season leading his high school team in assists, aces and blocks, while adding more than 100 kills.
“I expect Nick to do some good things for us this coming season,” Chuang said in a statement. “He played at a high level this past year and had successes with his club team. He has a very high ceiling and I’m eager to see how much he can develop through the course of this year.”
Sims, a 6-foot-4 middle attacker and opposite from Stevenson Ranch, California, earned first-team all-conference honors during his senior season as he helped his school win the league championship. In addition, Sims won a bronze medal with his club team at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championship.
Along with his playing experience, Sims was the head coach of his high school’s junior varsity team this year and spent two years as an assistant coach for the varsity team. He also coaches an 16 year old club team that qualified for the Boys’ Junior National Championship.
“I’m looking for Drew to be one of the mature leaders of the team this year,” Chuang said in a statement. “He had a lot of success in his club career and has spent the past couple years coaching both at the high school and club level as a head coach. He has a very high Volleyball IQ and will have a very positive impact on the team.”
Lees-McRae playing with a roster primarily comprised of freshmen and sophomores ended last season reaching the ConfCarolinas Tournament quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.