Verot’s Brown volleys to VCU
With setter Ciara Brown running the show, the Bishop Verot Vikings have given their supporters an exciting brand of volleyball to watch the past two seasons – and plenty of victories.
The Vikings are 49-1 over the two-year span with Brown, a senior, bringing energy and quick decision-making to the court as she spreads the ball around to the big hitters and keeps the powerful offense humming.
The entertaining display is the result of countless hours of practice.
“Ciara works harder than any kid I’ve ever coached,” Verot coach Wynn DePasquale said. “She has the focus and drive to be as good as she can possibly be.”
Brown’s drive and elite talent helped her land a Division I volleyball scholarship. She signed Thursday with Virginia Commonwealth University in Verot’s Senior Courtyard as her parents, Bob and Leslee, and sister Ashlyn accompanied her.
She’s the second member of the Vikings’ talented senior class to sign a Division I letter-of-intent in consecutive days. Teammate and close friend Katie Mosher inked a letter with Florida State University Wednesday.
Brown said there were a variety of selling points that led to her decision to choose VCU, which is located in Richmond, Va.
“They have a really good volleyball team and their coach (James Finley) is so supportive,” Brown said. “He’s one of those coaches that really motivates you and believes in you.”
Brown cited academics as another key factor. She wants to continue playing the game as long as possible, but another option is a career as a pediatrician.
Brown started playing volleyball in seventh grade. She transferred to Verot during her sophomore year after attending Fort Myers High.
As a senior, she has piled up 715 assists and received FACA District 16-3A player of the year, while leading the Vikings to their second straight unbeaten regular season.
Also a club player at USA South, Brown made up her mind awhile ago that she wanted to play in college. The next step was following through with a tireless work ethic.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I work out at home, I work out with my sister. I always wanted to get to that next level.”
DePasquale described Brown as a “perfectionist,” adding that she often stays late after practice and works on getting her sets right.
“She goes through every single set we run in our offense, hundreds of times, making sure it’s perfect,” DePasquale said. “She runs our offense like a collegiate setter.”