ROCKINGHAM – Since attending a University of North Carolina at Wilmington volleyball camp last summer, Altman Griffin has been waiting to for the opportunity to fulfill her dream of gracing the court at Hanover Hall. It has “always been on her mind” for as long as she can remember.
And better yet for the Richmond Senior High School senior, the UNCW volleyball program has had its eyes on Griffin, too.
On January 15, following the City of Oaks Challenge volleyball tournament in Raleigh with her club volleyball team, Triangle Volleyball Club, Griffin got the offer that she has been dreaming of for so long.
UNCW assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Meghan Sherman approached Griffin after her final match and offered her a “recruited walk-on” spot for the coming season. Griffin graciously accepted, and is verbally committed to play for the Lady Seahawks starting in the fall.
“It was such an amazing feeling,” Griffin said with a big smile in an exclusive interview with the Richmond Observer. “After the last game of the tournament, my mom asked me if I had heard the news that they were going to give me an offer.
“I am beyond happy,” Griffin continued, adding Sherman was a big help in the recruiting process and has rooted her on from the beginning. “I have worked so hard for this. When I went to UNCW’s camp last summer, I realized I wasn’t prepared. But I practiced here (at Richmond) and with Triangle. And now I’m better prepared to play (for UNCW).”
Griffin was undoubtedly the frontwoman for the RSHS volleyball team this past season, as she helped lead the Lady Raiders to an unprecedented and historic 25-0 record during the regular season and Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament.
Serving as Richmond’s top outside hitter, Griffin led the team with 259 kills during her senior season, with a kill percentage of 40 percent. Also a threat from the serving line, Griffin tallied 69 aces for the Lady Raiders.
Altman Griffin slamming a kill during her senior season at Richmond.
Since Richmond’s season ended in October, Griffin has been hard at work to improve her skillset with the hopes of receiving an offer. She joined the Triangle 18 Blue team shortly after the high school season, and noted that she practices with the club two or three times a week.
“It’s a big commitment because it’s a different level (of play) than I’ve ever seen before,” Griffin said. “I talked to UNCW’s coaching staff at the beginning of the (Triangle) season. They’ve watched me practice, and my setter, Claire Sawyer (Broughton High School), is also committed to UNCW. I think watching us play together helped make their final decision.”
Triangle Volleyball Club is a travel organization that works to boost college prospects’ playing ability. Currently, Griffin’s 18 Blue team has seven other players committed to play at the collegiate level. Griffin explained that they travel the country and play in tournaments in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia, with an appearance in the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals in Anaheim, Calif., in April.
The Lady Seahawks program is led by head coach Amy Bambenek, who will enter her 10th season at the helm this fall. Bambenek has been credited with revamping the program, as well as leading UNCW to its most wins in a season (24 in 2015) since 1988. In 2017, the Lady Seahawks went 11-17 and finished 5-11 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Griffin, though gracious for the opportunity to play for a Division I program, understands that there’s a lot that she needs to perfect between now and the season’s start in the fall.
“I need to continue to work hard to fight for playing time,” Griffin explained when asked what her expectations are for her freshman season. “I will probably play as an outside hitter or right side, which are called ‘pin hitters’.
“College coaches like to see versatility in their players,” Griffin continued. “It’s going to be tough for me to get playing time as a freshman, but my next goal is to work hard to earn that. But I know that I will bring a positive attitude, enthusiasm and be an encourager for the team.”
Griffin also understands that she’s a little more “green” compared to the other players on the UNCW team, noting that many of them have played club volleyball for the better part of a decade in comparison to her three years. But she’s not discouraged, as she believes her “hard work ethic” will get her to where she aspires to be.
Aside from getting the formal offer to walk on at UNCW, Griffin is excited about attending college in Wilmington for several reasons. First and foremost, she says she’s ready to be at the beach, explaining “it can’t get much better than that.”
As she still needs to be officially accepted to the school, Griffin said she’s ready for the “college experience.” And UNCW also holds a special place in her heart, as it is a family affair. Her uncles and Richmond County natives, Scott and Heath Altman, both were pitchers for the Seahawks’ baseball program.
Griffin is also excited to join her cousin and current Seahawk, Sullivan Griffin, at UNCW, as well as have her best friend and fellow RSHS volleyball teammate Brianna Baysek along for her freshman year.
“I went on a general tour and fell in love with the campus,” Griffin said. “It’s a family tradition (to go to UNCW), and I’m excited to develop within the volleyball program.”
Ahead for Griffin after she’s accepted to the school will be her official visit with Bambenek and the volleyball program. She’ll complete the official paperwork and will sign her National Letter of Intent during the late-signing period in April.
In terms of her studies, Griffin will be pursuing a career in pre-med, noting that she’s interested in the school’s physical therapy program. She’s also looking forward to participating in beach volleyball when she’s not playing for the Lady Seahawks.
And it seems that at long last, after years of hard work, due diligence and tremendous work effort, Griffin will be nesting where she has always wanted to be – UNC Wilmington as a Lady Seahawks volleyball player.
