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The Lady Panthers’ 6-footer recently made things official with Lees-McRae college, signing to join the Bobcats, who play in NCAA Division II’s Conference Carolinas, later this year in Banner Elk.

In her recently-completed senior season, Edwards totaled a team-second-best 191 kills, good for 2.2 per set. She was fourth on the team with 31 aces and 25 blocks and also had 87 digs, nine assists and 101 receptions.

Edwards’ junior season saw her finish second for PHS with 117 kills (1.6 per set). She also totaled 11 aces, 28 blocks, 51 digs, five assists and 37 receptions.

As a sophomore, Edwards had 69 kills (1.1 per set), along with 18 blocks, 22 digs, six assists and 12 receptions.

Even more than volleyball, academics led Edwards to choose Lees-McRae.

“First of all, they have an amazing criminal justice program, which is what I’m looking to study,� Edwards said. “That’s really what led me to that school. It’s also in a beautiful location and the coach for my team is so amazing. She’s so nice and encouraging. It’s just such a great atmosphere.

“I knew that really, that was what I was looking for. I told my mom after we went on visit, ‘Even if I can’t play volleyball there, I really think that I want to go there for the program.’ (Volleyball) is a lot of a bonus. I’m so excited about it. I couldn’t ask for anything better.�

Edwards is the first high school player to sign to play collegiately for second-year Lady Panthers coach Hayden Huffman.

“I’m extremely proud of her,� Huffman said. “This being my second year as a high school coach, and I’ve been a club coach for eight years, this is my first I’ve coached in high school who has signed. It was really exciting to bring the team together to celebrate her and watch her sign her letter of intent.

“I think she’s going to do really well at Lees-McRae. During the search process, she had mentioned that she was on a tour and really liked the coach and the team. But more importantly, she really liked the campus and they have the program that she wants to go into, which I think is one of the best things for a student-athlete. You don’t want to commit to somewhere you’re not happy or not able to do what you want to do in life, so she’s entering into not only a really solid volleyball program, but also a really solid field of study at that college.�

Edwards said the team-building process already has begun for her and her future Bobcats teammates in Banner Elk.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of the recruits in my class for 2025,� Edwards said. “We all are friends now. I talk to a few of them almost every day. All of the girls who are upperclassmen there are very welcoming.�

Huffman cited a recent position change and the versatility that brings as Edwards’ strengths.

“She’s an extremely versatile player,� Huffman said. “Last year, she served us well in the middle. This year, after the last club season where she played on the right side or opposite, she really benefited us. … We have a really good defensive team, but being able to put a block in front of the go-to hitter on the other side, which is usually the outside, really helps you slow down the ball and gave us more of an offensive presence at the net, not just going to the outside or the back row.

“We were able to hit all three hitters in a rotation. She brought a lot of that and was second in kills for Patton this year.�

Huffman thinks the college game will be a good fit for Edwards.

“I think the majority of it will be able to be translated and I think she’ll grow even more,� Huffman said. “She has one more year of club left and that’s going to help her, but being in that program and hearing from multiple coaches, athletic trainers and her teammates will really help her, as well as being able to readily be prepared for games.

“We tend to scout the teams we play, but college is a whole different level. I’m excited for her to see that aspect of the game, as well.�

Successes this year in the Mountain Foothills 7 1A/2A Conference, which produced a pair of state champions during Edwards’ junior season, are some of her favorite moments on the floor for the Lady Panthers.

“A memory from this year was beating Polk County in a set and beating Brevard in a set,� Edwards said. “They were state champions last year. That was an amazing thing for me because we haven’t beaten them in a set since my sophomore year.�

Edwards noted the support she has received from her family as critical to her success.

“I thank my parents for giving me all the amazing opportunities with volleyball,� Edwards said. “They’ve taken me to all the tournaments and camps to make me better.�