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Smoky Mountain’s Bowers to play two sports for Montreat
Smoky Mountain’s Danielle Bowers, a three-sport standout in high school, has decided to participate in two sports in college.
She has signed to play volleyball and basketball for Montreat. She was an all-conference basketball player and honorable mention in volleyball for the Lady Mustangs while also playing soccer.
“The environment is great there,” Bowers said. “Everyone was so friendly. When I played with their team, it wasn’t just a competition with them. They wanted to see me get better. That’s the environment I want to go to college in.”
Smoky Mountain’s Danielle Bowers has signed to play basketball and volleyball for Montreat. She is seated with her parents, Paul and Michelle Bowers. Standing are, from left: Pam Hyatt, SM assistant basketball coach; Joe Hagan, Montreat basketball coach; Stephanie Pace, Montreat volleyball coach; Cindi Simmons, SM basketball and volleyball coach; and Si Simmons, SM athletic director.
She also considered Converse before choosing Montreat primarily for basketball. Then the volleyball program got involved with her.
“I’ve always been very athletic and played sports year-round,” Bowers said. “The volleyball team had an opening at the position I played in high school. I think it will be fun to play two sports in college.”
Bowers’ motivation to play collegiately goes back to the seventh grade when she was cut from the basketball team at Fairview Elementary School.
“My mom told me I could just give up or I could work hard and come back and make the team the next year,” she said. “My dad worked with me everyday. When I came back the next year, I made the team as a starter.”
The lessons she learned from that adversity have carried over into other aspects of her life, Bowers said.
“You have to follow your dreams,” she said. “If that takes people pushing you down first, you just have to get back up. If you keep working hard, your dreams will come true.”
Her college volleyball and basketball coaches have both said Bowers will have an opportunity to earn playing time early in her Montreat career, but she’s not taking anything for granted.
“My goal is to be the best athlete I can,” she said. “If that means I have to sit on the bench until I’m as good as the others, I will work harder than everyone else to get better.”
The 5-9 volleyball outside hitter and basketball power forward said she is ready and excited about playing at the next level.
“The people in Sylva have been so supportive of me,” Bowers said. “All my coaches have been excellent. It really means a lot, and I just want to say thank you.”
Bowers will fit into the Montreat basketball program “like a glove,” according to Coach Joe Hagan, who has completed seven years at the school. “She’s a skilled athlete in the 5-9, 5-10 range. There is always a place for kids like that.”
He said Bowers could play power forward, small forward or shooting guard in college.
“She’s never had an opportunity to play much on the perimeter in high school,” Hagan said. “I see that as a big upside. She has great potential.”
Due to a lack of height, Hagan said the Lady Cavaliers will be looking for inside players next year.
“I think she’s got a great opportunity to compete for playing time right off the bat,” Hagan said. “She’s just a solid player and hard worker.”
Stephanie Pace, a former Montreat player who is preparing for her second season as volleyball coach, is also excited to have Bowers join her program.
“She’s going to be an outside hitter,” Pace said. “She has a lot of potential with her skills. She’s very athletic and coachable. Anytime you get a kid with her work ethic, you can achieve great things.”
Pace has been pleased with what she saw from Bowers in her visit to Montreat.
“She meshes well with my girls,” Pace said. “With her athletic skills, she can hit and block.”
Like Hagan, Pace said Bowers has an opportunity to earn early playing time.
“She’s very deserving, said Cindi Simmons, SM’s volleyball and basketball coach. “She’s one of the most committed players I’ve coached and has been a pleasure to coach. She always gave it her all both in practice and in games.”
Simmons has seen several of her players go on to college over the years, but few of them have participated in two sports.
“She’s one of those elite athletes who has the ability to perform at the next level in more than one sport,” Simmons said. “Her self-discipline is unparalleled. I know she will prove herself successful in college. Montreat is getting a jewel, and I’m very happy for her and her family.”
Bowers is the daughter of Paul and Michelle Bowers.
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