Press Release courtesy of NC State Athletics
NC State volleyball head coach Linda Hampton-Keith announced Wednesday that Nina Sharpton and Pam Chukwujekwu have each signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to compete for the Wolfpack next season.
“We’re very excited to have Nina and Pam join our program,” said Hampton-Keith. “They both bring a lot of versatility and add depth to our team and I look forward to coaching them.”
Hailing from Palm Beach, Fla., Sharpton is a 5’10” setter at Park Vista Community High School. She was tabbed a Prep Volleyball Senior Ace, as one of the nation’s top recruits.
Sharpton was a first team all-conference selection and all-area honorable mention as a junior. Additionally, she was named to the Prep Volleyball 2018 Watch List and the 2016 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom List.
The Wolfpack volleyball commit has also competed with USA Volleyball and helped Team Florida USA High Performance win the 2014 National Championship. Sharpton guided her team to the 2015 AAU National Championship in the 15 Open division and a third-place finish at the 2015 Girls Junior National Championship (GJNC).
“I’ve known Nina for a while now since she was one of our first recruits to commit after we took over the program,” said Hampton-Keith. “I’ve built a great relationship with her and she adds so much to our setter position. She’s very skilled and has played at a high level. I’m looking forward to working with her to continue her development in hopes of a fantastic career at NC State.”
Sharpton started training with the USA Volleyball National A1 Program in 2013 as an eighth-grade student. She excels in the classroom and has been a member of the honor roll every year of high school.
Comes from an athletic family, as her cousin Darryl Sharpton Jr. played football at the University of Miami and went on to play in the NFL and another cousin Kenny Mixon played football at LSU and also played in the NFL.
Sharpton is also related to Civil Rights Activist Al Sharpton.
Chukwujekwu is a 6’2″ middle blocker from Laurel, Md., where she attends Reservoir High School. She has been a four-year starter on the varsity squad for the Reservoir Gators.
Prior to her senior season, Chukwujekwu was tabbed one of the 2017 Baltimore Sun’s Players to Watch. She helped lead her team to the Chesapeake Region Volleyball Association (CHRVA) Regional Championship in 2016.
“We’re excited to add a player with Pam’s athleticism” Hampton-Keith added. “Her athleticism is truly high level and elite. She has the potential to grow into a phenomenal volleyball player and athlete, so I’m really excited about her future career.”
She is a member of the National Honor Society, a four-year scholar athlete and 4.0 principal honor roll recipient. Chukwujekwu ranks among the top 10 percent of her graduating class at Reservoir High School.
The NC State signee has three siblings and her older sister Amaka is a freshman on the volleyball team at Boston College. In Chukwujekwu’s spare time, she tutors math and enjoys cooking and traveling.
NC State is back in action Thursday night when the Clemson Tigers visit Reynolds Coliseum. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra.
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