CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina head volleyball coach Karen Glover today announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2025 volleyball season during the early signing period. Tatum Sharp (Loveland, Colo.), Elise Gurley (Wake Forest, N.C.), Danielle Wheat (Mount Olive, Al.), Abbie Willis (Punta Gorda, Fla.) and Evelyn Keefer (Winder, Ga.) are all set to join the Catamount roster next season. Willis and Gurley will be graduating early and joining the Catamount family in January.
Tatum Sharp – 6-2 – MB – Thompson Valley HS / Loveland, Colo. / NORCO Volleyball Club
Sharp comes to Cullowhee after spending her high school career at Thompson Valley High. During her prep career, she eclipsed 1,000 career kills during her senior season including a pair of 300+ kill seasons.
She was a two-time state champion and also finished as runner-up at the 4A level, while garnering all-conference honors three times. Sharp was named three-time Offensive Player of the Year and three-time First-Team All-State. She was named to USAV All-Tournament team. She's competed at the club ranks for NORCO Volleyball Club.
Elise Gurley – 5-5 – L – Heritage HS / Wake Forest, N.C. / Triangle Volleyball
Gurley joins the Catamount family after prepping at Heritage High. In just two seasons, Gurley amassed 82 service aces and picked up 610 career digs. She played club volleyball with Triangle volleyball. Gurley leads the Northern Athletic Conference in digs.
Danielle Wheat – 5-8 – S – Homeschool / Mount Olive, Ala. / Alabama Performance Volleyball Club
During her prep career, Wheat garnered recognition for Under Armour Next in 2023 and was named an AVCA Phenom for three consecutive seasons from 2022 through 2024. She plays club volleyball at Alabama Performance Volleyball Club.
Abbie Willis – 6-2 – Outside Hitter – Charlotte HS / Punta Gorda, Fla. / Performance Volleyball Academy
Willis spent her prep career at Charlotte High out of Punta Gorda, Fla. where she had a balanced stat sheet totaling 588 kills and 94 blocks. Willis was named the Sun Preps Female Athlete of the Year and Beach Volleyball Player of the Year during her prep career. She also garnered FACA District 18 6A Senior All-Star honors while being named a 3x All-Area in volleyball. Willis also earned All-Area honors for both beach volleyball and basketball during her high school career. She played club volleyball at Performance Volleyball Academy.
Evelyn Keefer – 5-8 – Libero – Lanier Christian Academy/Winder, Ga./TK Volleyball
Keefer comes to Cullowhee after being a four-year captain at Lanier Christian Academy. She was selected a five-time All-Region honoree and a four-time All-State selection. Keefer garnered a pair of MVP honors from her high school team. In the classroom, she received scholar-athlete honors four times. Keefer plays club volleyball at TK Volleyball.
Western Carolina (8-18, 2-11 SoCon) closes out its 2024 regular-season home slate beginning on Thursday, Nov. 14, against ETSU before welcoming in Chattanooga on Friday's Senior Night to open a busy Family Weekend in Cullowhee. Both matches are set for a 6 p.m. start. Thursday's meeting with mountain-rival ETSU is part of the "Beat the Bucs Blackout" with fans encouraged to wear their black WCU gear to the game.
Western Carolina will honor its 2024 seniors, Ollie Henderson, Sarah Janourova, and Bailey Hartsough, for their accomplishments and contributions to the program prior to Friday's match. Both matches against the Bucs and the Mocs will be shown on ESPN+ (paid subscription required), and live stats will be available for both matches on CatamountSports.com.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount volleyball and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@wcu_catamounts, @catamountvb), and Twitter (@catamounts, @catamountvb).
