Signature moments: Christy turns her attention to Virginia Tech

One day after the crowning achievement of her high school volleyball career, Williamsport senior Stacey Christy signed on the dotted line to take the first step in her collegiate career.

After leading the Wildcats to the Maryland Class 2A state title on Nov. 19, Christy — a 6-foot-2 middle hitter — signed her letter of intent to play for Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Nov. 20.


“They have an awesome coaching staff and the team is very fun to be around,” Christy said after Williamsport swept Calvert in the Class 2A final. “I like having teammates who are caring and fun to be around every day.”

That’s the kind of environment Christy thrived in this season — and one she’s not sure she wants to leave just yet.

“I kind of don’t want to graduate high school,” she said. “I love my teammates and the community’s always been there for me.”

Christy’s physical and athletic gifts are obvious on the court. Her leaping ability and power make her a formidable hitter and blocker at the net, where she’s shined for the Wildcats in each of the last three seasons.

As a sophomore in 2010, Christy averaged 2.81 kills and 1.79 blocks per set and was named to The Herald-Mail’s All-County Second Team. In 2011, she made the All-County First Team after averaging 3.98 kills and 0.84 blocks per set as a junior.

This season, Christy averaged 4.08 kills and 1.46 blocks per set for Williamsport. Among county public schools players, she was third in kills per set and first by a wide margin in blocks per set.

While Christy’s skills have improved during her varsity career, Wildcats coach Emily Crabtree points to her mental maturity as the pivotal key.

“That young woman has matured ... I can’t even put a quantity on it,” Crabtree said. “Her attitude, her team play, her leadership, her drive to be the best she can be has been unbelievable.”

Christy pointed to former teammate Samantha Kelly — a senior on the 2011 team who was killed in an auto accident in May — as the player she learned from the most.

“I learned how to be a leader because of how (Sam) led the team,” Christy said.

Christy will join a Hokies squad led by head coach Chris Riley, who’s nearing the end of his seventh season in charge. Through last weekend, Virginia Tech was 15-14 this season and 123-94 in Riley’s tenure. Riley also went 144-54 at Towson before taking over the Hokies.

“She’ll work with really good coaches, and her training program may be more than she’s quite ready for,” Crabtree said. “But she’ll be successful down there because she has her head screwed on straight.”

“I might end up redshirting just so I can get stronger and be really prepared,” Christy said.