NEXT
LINE
^ydel Curry has game to back family name
Max Garland
Senior Reporter
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that there is
yet another sports phenom in the Curr}" fam
ily. DeU and Stephen are notorious 3-point
shooters in NBA lore — the former histori
cally, the latter currently. Seth played baskethaU
at Duke University for the legendary Mike
Krzyzewski. Sonya was a volleyball star at
Virginia Tech. This time, it’s Sydel, the fresh
man setter who has found a new home with
the Elon University volleyball team.
“When I came on my visit to Elon, 1
immediately fell in love with it,” Curry said.
“I loved the campus, the atmosphere and the
team. It just seemed like a perfect fit for me.”
Curry is from Charlotte, where she was
a three-year captain and two-time North
Carolina Independent Schools Athletic
Association (NCISAA) All-State selection at
Charlotte Christian High School. She made
an immediate impact, helping the team to
three state quarterfinal appearances as well as a
school record for wins in 2012.
“As a volleyball player, I would say I add a
sense of calmness to the court but also a sense
of competitiveness because I love to win,”
Curry said. “I work really hard to be the best
I can be and to also allow my teammates to
excel, as well. Being a setter, that’s a huge part
of what I do and that’s what I love to do.”
Curry is attached to volleyball thanks to
her natural ability, passion for the game and
parental influence, just like brothers Seth and
Stephen are to basketball.
“I started playing volleyball about eight
years ago and just fell in love with it,” Curry
said. “I thought that it would be cool to con
tinue with a sport that my mom played in col
lege at Virginia Tech since my brothers were
going the basketball route.”
Despite going their separate directions,
Curry said she keeps up with her brothers
through texting, calling or Skyping. But, grow
ing up with them remains her fondest memory.
“Growing up in my family was really fun,”
Curry said. “Being the only girl, people often
think that I would be left out, but I never
felt that way. I loved it. I got to be one of the
boys with my brothers and be one of the girls
when I was with my mom or other friends.
There was never any real competition with me
between my brothers. Of course it was fun and
healthy competition between the two of them,
though.”
Seth and Stephen’s friendly rivalry helped
them make an impact in college at Liberty/
Duke and Davidson, respectively. DeU and
Sonya made sure they went to as many of their
sons’ games as possible, but as any parent with
a house of athletes wUl attest, traveling is half
the battle.
“When both of my brothers were in col
lege, there would be times when my parents
would have to spUt up and watch them,” Curry
m
) coum ESY Of I L0‘. ATHLE1 IC.'i
said. “VoUeybaU isn’t in the same season as
baskethaU, so they were always at my games.
It’s definitely safe to say that my parents are
professional travelers and road warriors. They
are so incredibly supportive of us and have
invested so much time and money in what we
love to do. It’s a great feeUng when we are able
to succeed and a lot of the thanks go to them.”
Just Uke she did in high school, Curry is
looking to help the Phoenix win right away.
If sibUng success is any indication, she wUl be
just fine. Sedi broke the Big South Conference
single-season scoring record for a freshman.
Stephen is a former Southern Conference
Freshman of the Year. Curry isn’t Uving off of
her famUy’s legacy — she is strengthening it.
■:;M§
Volleyball
.Schedule.
Ill'
r. f '. r V
UCF ClasSll @ UCF
, Sept. 6, 1 p.m. — Orlando, FL
UCF Classic v. Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 6, 6 p.m. — Orlando, FL
UCF Oassic v. Geoige Washington
i; /Sdpii:ii; pffrti 1%' prlandp,; FL ; /: i
@ High Point
Sept. 10, 7 p.m. — High Point, N.C.
Elon Phoenix Classic V. Gaither-V\febb
Sept. 13, 7 p.m. — Bon, N.C.
Elon Phoenix Classic v. North
Carolina Central
/ Sept. 14,; 12;3C)p.m; — Bon, N.C.
Ebn Phoenix Classic v. East Carolina
^ Sept. 14, 6:p.hn,, — Eton, N.C. '
V. Radford
: ' Sept. 18,: 0 p.m.: — Bon, N.C. /
49er Invitational v. Tennesee
State University
49erinvilationaiv South Carolina State
Sent. 21. 10 a.m. — Charlotte. N.C.
49er Invitational ©Charlotte
Sept. 21,7 p.m. — Charlotte N.C.
©Georgia Southern*
Sept. 27, 6 p.m. — Statesboro, GA
©The Citadel*
Sept. 28, 2, p.m. — Charleston, S.C.
©UNCG*
Cot. 2, 7 p.m. Greensboro, N.C.
© Davidson*
Cot 4, 7 p.m. — Davidson, N.C.
© North Carolina A&T
Cot. 8. 7 D.m. — Greensboro N.C.
V. The Citadel*
Oct. 11.7 p.m. — Elon, N.C.
V. Georgia Southern*
Oct. 12. 4 D.m. — Elon. N.C.
© SaiSord*
Cot. it 8 p *m, i-s .fiimaingham, AL