South Lenoir’s Alyssa Kopanski commits to LCC for volleyball
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South Lenoir’s Alyssa Kopanski, seated center, committed to Lenoir Community College Wednesday for volleyball. Sitting next to Kopanski are her parents, Tony and Jennifer, and standing are, from left, LCC volleyball coach Lee Avery, South Lenoir assistant coach Mishella Craine, Blue Devils head coach Lisa Smith and South Lenoir principal Steve Saint-Amand.
DEEP RUN — South Lenoir’s Alyssa Kopanski is a late bloomer who looks to continue blossoming at Lenoir Community College.
Kopanski committed to LCC Wednesday for volleyball after three years on the Blue Devils’ varsity team, coming up from humble beginnings.
“I was cut from the team both years in middle school, so when I came to South Lenoir I just had travel ball experience,” Kopanski said. “I’m thankful for this experience, the opportunity to go to LCC and my coaches Lisa (Smith) and (assistant coach) Mishella (Craine) — I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Kopanski, who plans to go into the dental hygiene program at LCC, said there were numerous positives to becoming a Lancer.
“It’s close to home, and I know a lot of the girls who played last year,” Kopanski said. “It’s a fun program and I’m ready to play next year.”
Smith said she brought Kopanski up from JV early in the 2017 season and she never looked back. South Lenoir would go on a 10-1 stretch shortly after and the playoff streak was extended to nine years after this season.
“We brought her up against West Carteret during her sophomore year and she immediately made a contribution,” Smith said. “She’s done an outstanding job adjusting to wherever we played her, whether it was as a middle or outside hitter, and we relied on her a lot for blocks. I think she’ll be an impact player for LCC and she’s a very smart hitter.”
Jennifer Kopanski, Alyssa’s mother, said her daughter was worried about having the chance to play at the next level after missing several games due to injury in 2019.
“She was definitely happy for the opportunity to play at LCC,” Kopanski said. “Since she was hurt during her senior year, she wasn’t sure if she’d be recruited, but Coach Avery approached us. She’ll be back at 100 percent and she’s got a lot of good volleyball in her.”
Lee Avery, in his second year at LCC, said he saw plenty of potential in Kopanski and believes she’ll have a great impact next season.
“She’s a very intuitive player,” Avery said. “She’s got a great feel for the game and it doesn’t hurt that she’s 5-foot-11. She also has a great attitude, which won me over — no matter how things were on the court she was excited for herself and teammates, and we definitely need that attitude at the collegiate level.”
Kopanski said she’ll certainly provide the optimism to the 2020 team.
“I’m a very happy person — I don’t like to get down and I believe there’s always a chance no matter how far down we might be.”