JEN WIKER RISES ABOVE THE NET

In an area full of talented volleyball players, South Mecklenburg senior Jen Wiker has risen to the top of the ladder.  Standing six foot three inches tall, this bright young lady has become quite the force for the Sabres Volleyball Team.  Very few opponents look forward to finding themselves on the receiving end of a powerful slam of the volleyball.

“I love to rise above the net and hit the ball as hard as I can,” Jen said. “My favorite part of volleyball is getting a kill.”
To the average sports fan,  a volleyball kill appears to be an easy function.  One player sets the ball for another player who times her jump, rotates her arm and slams the ball.  If the ball hits inside the opponents court, a kill is scored and a point added for the team. Jen Wiker makes it look easy. 

Truth be told, to become proficient at scoring kills, players have to be athletic and smart enough to find the opening in the opponents defense.  They also must practice, and practice, and practice, over and over again. 

The daughter of Bob and Peggy Wiker has taken advantage of her height and worked extremely hard to become one of the top volleyball players in the state.  Virgina Tech recognized the talent a couple of years ago and successfully recruited Jen to join the Hokies Volleyball Team next season.  She will join former South Mecklenburg teammate Betsy Horowitz at Virgina Tech.  Betsy is one of the leading players for the Hokies and recently scored a career high 15 kills.

Before choosing Virginia Tech, Jen was recruited by Duke, Clemson, Virginia and many other schools in the region.  Virginia Tech offered a scholarship first and Jen didn’t hesitate to say yes!

“I loved everything about Virginia Tech.  It’s only three and a half hours away, it’s and ACC school, Betsy is there and I loved the coaches.”

Jen joined her first volleyball team in seventh grade.  Her older sister, Susan needed someone to play with, so Jen jumped in.  With lots of hard work, she became a solid volleyball player.  Jen joined the heralded Carolina Juniors Volleyball program three years ago and continued to improve.  The team travels across the country playing in tournaments against the best junior volleyball teams in the country.

“I have learned so much about volleyball from playing for Carolina Juniors.   Playing against the teams we have played against will help me in college.”

Jen has also been a success inside the classroom.  She currently holds a 4.8 weighted grade point average.  This year she is enrolled in three advanced placement courses and rounds out her class schedule with honors classes at South Mecklenburg.  She hopes to major in finance and banking at Virginia Tech.

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Jen Wiker for her success on the volleyball court and inside the classroom.  With her talent and commitment to success, we have no doubt she will be a great addition to Hokie Nation.