Hannah Young Signs, Becomes Bethel University Wildcat Volleyball Player
Surrounded by family and friends, Hannah Young signed with pleasure to become a Bethel University (BU) Wildcat making her the first West Tennessee Homeschool Sports Association (WTHSA) athlete recruited to play volleyball at the collegiate level.
Hannah started playing volleyball with the WTHSA Warriors (formerly War Eagles) seven years ago. Volleyball was one of the first sports offered through the non-profit homeschool sports and activities association when it was formed in 2016 to offer opportunities for homeschoolers to play competitive sports in West Tennessee. It is one of the only sports that was originally offered when the association was formed that has continued each year due to the popularity of the sport and heavy parent involvement and support. The WTHSA is now under the West Tennessee Homeschool Education Association (WTHEA), based in Jackson, Tennessee, and offers basketball, soccer, and has plans for tennis. Having one of its athletes move to the next level of competition in a sport is quite a milestone for the association and may be the beginning of similar opportunities for future WTHEA athletes not only in volleyball but in other sports it offers.
Bethel University recruited Hannah to play outside hitter which is the position she played while in high school. She has also had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in the sport and earn an MVP title.
“My sophomore and junior year, I coached the WTHSA middle school team,” said Hannah who also played two years for the West Tennessee Force Volleyball Club. “I was also MVP over the Swordsman Tournament my senior year.”
Hannah is looking forward to playing for Bethel and excited about the chance to improve her volleyball skills and the competitive play in the sport.
“[I am looking forward to] a faster paced game and increasing my skills,” said Hannah who also shared what she loves about the game. “The fast pace and high energy that comes when playing.”
Surprisingly, it is not academics that often keep parents from choosing to homeschool, but instead the belief that homeschool athletes miss out on college athletic scholarships. Hannah is just one of many homeschool athletes that are recruited each year and receive athletic scholarships to play a sport. She shared some advice for other homeschool athletes who are chasing their dream of playing collegiate level sports.
“Don’t be scared to put yourself out there. Play travel ball. It helps with the recruiting process and puts you in the light of college coaches,” said Hannah who encourages players to chase their dreams of playing the sport they love in college. “Just one no from a college is not the end of the process. Keep looking for the right school for you.”
Hannah Young has found the right school. Or rather Bethel University has found the right player to fill that outside hitter position, and Hannah is the perfect fit.
Hannah Young is the daughter of Steve and Heather Young, and will graduate from HomeLife Academy spring 2024. She will study health science to become an athletic trainer.
Hannah’s West Tennessee Favorites
Favorite place to eat: Hannah’s favorite place to eat is La Catrina in Humboldt.
Favorite place to go: Hannah’s favorite place to go is Carriage Crossing in Collierville.
Favorite thing to do: Hannah’s favorite thing to do is play volleyball and watch movies.
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