Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute volleyball head coach Brian Harris has announced that Catherine Pate will be a member of the coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season. She is a former volleyball player at CCC&TI as well as a two-time captain for the program, joining the team in 2022 when the program was restarted.
Pate was also a two-time, first-team All-Region 10 selection as a player. She graduated from CCC&TI with an Associate of Arts degree.
Coach Harris said, “I am very excited to have Catherine stay involved with the volleyball team as our assistant coach. She is an outstanding person, a very motivated and skilled athlete, and a strong student of the game. She understands the culture of the team and school. She understands where we started and what it takes to compete on a national level.”
Pate, a native of Shelby, NC, is a 2022 graduate of Crest High School. In addition to her playing experience, she has also been involved as an assistant coach with Carolina Select, a club volleyball team based out of Hickory.
“I am extremely excited for this opportunity to continue to be involved with this program and Cobra Athletics,” said Pate. “It’s been a huge part of my journey not just as a former athlete but as a member of the surrounding community as well.” Pate went on to say, “I can’t wait to take on this role and challenge the upcoming girls to grow as players, friends, and confident young women founded in hard work, completive spirit, and love for volleyball.”
In addition to coaching, Pate plans to take additional classes at CCC&TI with the goal of transferring to a four-year college.
Director of Athletics Jeff Link added, “Adding Coach Pate to our staff is a tremendous hire. Not only was she a skilled player, but she also played a big role in building and developing the winning culture that our volleyball program now has. Her leadership as a captain will carry over into being a strong assistant coach as our team continues to build upon our successes.”
The Cobras Volleyball team is the defending Region 10 Division Three champions and finished tenth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division Three Tournament last season.
Caldwell opens the 2024 season on Thursday, August 22 at home against Cleveland Community College at 6PM.