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Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of three stories highlighting Windsor High School student-athletes signing to continue playing a sport at the college level.

 

Windsor High School senior Tiffany Carr enjoyed the fruit of her initiative, work ethic and leadership on April 2 when she signed to play volleyball for Staunton-based Mary Baldwin University.

Her signing came as part of a ceremony in the WHS auditorium that included a crowd of her friends, family and most of the school’s varsity and junior varsity girls volleyball teams from this past season.

Carr has been playing volleyball for around a decade, dating back to her time in the fifth grade.

She gained her first experience in a Franklin-based recreational league. She was on Windsor High School’s JV team during her eighth- and ninth-grade years, and she played for the WHS varsity team as a sophomore, junior and senior.

She has been part of a few different travel volleyball teams and is currently with East Coast Volleyball Club, which is based out of Virginia Beach.

She said her desire to play college volleyball has been present for probably the past three or four years.

“Since my sister signed to play (college softball), it really got me interested in it, and that made me want to play in college too,” she said.

Carr’s sister, former WHS softball standout Melissa Carr, plays for the University of Virginia.

Tiffany was considering a few different colleges to play volleyball for, but Mary Baldwin stood out to her.

“The coaches there, I really like them, and they’re from around here, they have a lot of knowledge,” she said. “But Mary Baldwin’s education part, they have a partner school, Murphy Deming (College of Health Sciences), which hosts things like their physician’s assistant program, which I want to go into, so I really liked that.”

She will be majoring in health science, with the plan of becoming a physician’s assistant.

When asked what it meant to her to be able to sign to play volleyball at the college level, Carr said, “It means a lot, especially now because losing my dad halfway through, he started me on it. And so being able to actually commit and everything after his passing meant a lot to me because I knew it would make him proud.”

Her father, Tracy Carr, passed away a year-and-a-half ago, and he had been a constant supporter for Tiffany, along with her mother, Candice Carr.

Candice said, “He learned how to do stats for her, because nobody knew how to do them. Volleyball was not his thing, but he learned how to do stats so she could have them to give to college coaches.”

Candice described what it was like seeing Tiffany sign to play for Mary Baldwin.

“It was a proud moment,” she said, “because she is a kid that consistently works to make herself better, so she’s always practicing in the yard, she’d come home and watch her (playing) film, so just proud that she was able to achieve one of her goals and dreams.”

Then Candice highlighted Tiffany’s initiative and drive.

“She is the one who did the legwork on finding her travel ball team, she’s the one who did all the research and inquiries into colleges and speaking with the coaches, so she has really taken it by the horns and guided this herself,” she said. “I’ve just been along for the ride.”

Echoing the points about Tiffany’s hard work and dedication was Windsor Varsity Girls Volleyball Head Coach Lauren Lasater, who spoke about Tiffany during the April 2 signing ceremony.

Lasater noted that Tiffany, a team captain, was a first-team player in the Tri-Rivers District for the 2023-24 season and also earned back-to-back Player of the Year honors. Additionally in 2023, Tiffany received second-team all-region recognition and netted the Coaches Award.

“From Day One, Tiffany showed up with determination, commitment and a drive to be better, not just for herself but for the entire team,” Lasater said at the signing ceremony. “It’s that work ethic and leadership that has gotten her here today.

“Tiffany, this signing is a testament to your hard work, your discipline, your resilience, and it’s also a reminder that this is just the beginning,” Lasater added. “The next chapter will bring new challenges, but I know if there is anyone who is ready to tackle them, it’s you. We couldn’t be more proud of you, and we’ll all be cheering as you continue your journey at Mary Baldwin.”

Since her freshman year at WHS, Carr has been trained as a setter and played primarily at that position for the Lady Dukes and her travel teams. She said she has dabbled in some other spots, like right side hitter and defensive specialist (DS).

For Mary Baldwin, “It’s likely that I’ll be a setter, but I’m also there for DS if I’m needed,” she said.

When asked if there is anyone she would like to thank for helping her reach her present level of achievement as a student-athlete, Carr said, “Really, my family, especially, and my friends.”

She highlighted her mother, who has been traveling hundreds of miles with her to make it to all of her tournaments and events.

Then she put a spotlight on family and friends that have been her biggest supporters, showing up to everything that they could and always helping her to push herself.

Now, Candice is looking forward to supporting Tiffany at Mary Baldwin like she has been supporting Melissa at U.Va.

“The great thing is that volleyball season is in the fall, softball season is in the spring, and U.Va. is only 45 minutes from Staunton, so just like I am now, I’m going to be there for every possible thing that I can be there for,” Candice said.