[Sly Fox]

Here's a cool story on a Texan some of you volleyball fans may remember from back in the day:

Volleyball is again in the game plan of Spc. Hunter

By Justin Willett
Staff writer



It took a deployment to Iraq for Spc. Marguerite Hunter to reconnect with the game of volleyball.

Hunter, a member of Fort Bragg’s 264th Corps Support Battalion, began playing volleyball almost 20 years ago. She competed at the college level and coached a junior Olympics team in her native Texas before joining the Army two years ago.

The Army didn’t leave much time for volleyball — until last year when Hunter deployed to Iraq with Fort Bragg’s 1st Corps Support Command.

Hunter discovered that some fellow soldiers from the Hawaiian National Guard also had a passion for the game.

“I played with the Hawaiians for the eight months while I was there,” she said.

Hunter impressed a female Army captain with her skills, and the captain told her to check out the All Army team.

On Monday, Hunter arrived at the All Army volleyball trial camp at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The camp, which runs through May 10, serves as tryouts and practice before armed forces volleyball tournament play begins May 19.

Hunter said she is confident in her chances of making the team and hopes to be competing in the tournaments, which run through June 19.

“I’ve coached it, and I know it,” she said. “I’ve been in volleyball a long time. I’m very passionate about the sport.”

After high school, Hunter attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., on a full volleyball scholarship. She played at Liberty from 1994 to 1996 and then transferred to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. She played there from 1996 to 1999.

Hunter did not finish her degree and began working at a Gap retail store in Texas. She was a general manager there when she enlisted in the Army.

Hunter said she joined to “pay my patriotic duties.” She grew up near Fort Hood, Texas, and her brother served in the 82nd Airborne Division. Hunter said she hasn’t heard of anyone else making the move from the Gap to the military.

“It’s usually unique,” she said.

Hunter said she enjoyed her deployment to Iraq and looks forward to going again.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “I got to do some humanitarian missions. It was a humbling experience.”

Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, a public affairs officer who deployed with the 1st Corps Support Command last year, said Hunter provided security for chaplains during their regular visits with Iraqi civilians.

Hunter said this year’s volleyball camp could be her only chance to play competitively for a while. She expects to go back to Iraq in 2007.

“I really wanted this opportunity,” she said.

Hunter said she would eventually like to coach on the All Army volleyball team.

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=231657