For Mintz Christian Academy’s senior volleyball players, this season was more than the close of another chapter. It marked the culmination of years of growth, faith, and family that have defined their journey together. Through hard work and unity, they helped continue one of the most successful volleyball traditions in Sampson County, guided by Coach Dan Heinz and strengthened by the school’s deep spiritual foundation.
Coach Dan Heinz
For Coach Dan Heinz, watching his seniors grow from shy freshmen into confident young women has been a privilege.
“I’ve watched them play since they were in sixth grade,” Heinz explained. “I was their PE teacher since kindergarten. They’re like daughters. I know each of their families well, and I’m so proud of them. They represent the very best of what we all hope our kids will turn out to be.”
Heinz said his focus as a coach has always been on the bigger picture. “The most important thing I can do for these girls is help them prepare for life,” he stressed. “That’s more important than teaching volleyball skills. I’m just thankful I’ve been able to use volleyball to mentor them.”
He praised the team’s performance at the National Christian School Tournament in Ohio, where they finished sixth out of 24. “Out of the six matches we played, five of them were tougher than anyone we faced all season,” he said. “The competition was incredible, and the girls handled it with great energy and attitude.”
Heinz also commended junior McKenzie Street, who earned All-Tournament honors despite playing through injury. “She’s lightning quick, reads the ball well, and she’s fearless,” he said. “She played with a shoulder condition that would’ve kept most athletes out. She was the best libero out of 48 teams.”
As for his formula for success, Heinz keeps it simple. “Happy volleyball and fun volleyball is good volleyball,” he said. “That’s the way I coach. In our pregame prayer, I always ask the Lord to keep the girls safe, help them execute their fundamentals, communicate well, and have fun doing it.”
Abby Walters
From her first season as a quiet freshman to her final one as a vocal leader, Walters’ journey has been one of transformation.
“It definitely hasn’t been easy, but it’s been very rewarding,” Walters said. “I’ve grown not only as a player but as a person. At Mintz Christian Academy it’s more about family. We have a good connection and chemistry with each other, and that goes a long way.”
Walters said she learned to step into leadership as the seasons passed.
“In my first year, I wanted to hide behind all the other girls and just be told what to do,” she stressed. “Now I want to step out and say, ‘this is what we should do.”’
Her advice to the younger players was simple but heartfelt: “Keep working at it if that’s what you enjoy. Don’t give up. Enjoy every single moment because it’ll be over in a blink of an eye.”
Volleyball has been a part of her life since childhood, something inspired by her sister, Gabby Walters, who now plays collegiately. “I’ve watched her since fifth grade,” Abby noted. “We’ve kind of gone through it together.”
She credits much of her development to Heinz and the Lakewood Area Volleyball Association. “He’s always believed in me and pushed me to be better,” Walters said of her coach. “His whole family has played a big role, and I thank him for that.”
The faith-based environment at Mintz is what she says she’ll miss the most. “It’s really focused on Jesus. We’re one big family. Everybody knows everybody,” she attested. “The girls on the volleyball team are some of my best friends, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Walters hopes to continue her volleyball career in college. “It makes me happy,” she said. “I want to inspire little girls the way older players inspired me.
Coach Heinz always believed I could play at the next level, and my dad never gave up on me. He poured everything he had into me to help me be great.”
Audrey Rich
For senior Rich, volleyball at Mintz was about more than wins and titles. It was about learning to open up and lead with confidence.
“I used to be shy,” Rich said. “But as I’ve grown up, I’ve come out of my shell more on the court.”
She credits the team’s long-standing connection for their success. “We’ve all grown up together for years,” she said. “We’re a small school, so everybody knows everybody. Playing together in the Lakewood Area Volleyball Association built our connection even more.”
Heinz, she said, played a central role in her development. “He always has the mentality to never give up,” Rich said. “Even if we’re down, he keeps us up and keeps our morale high.”
While she doesn’t plan to continue playing volleyball after graduation, Rich said the lessons she’s learned will carry into her next chapter. “I plan to attend UNC Wilmington to get my degree in nursing,” she said. “The Christian atmosphere at Mintz and the close-knit community are what I’ll miss the most.”
Her advice to younger players is rooted in her own experience. “Don’t be shy,” Rich stressed. “Come out of your shell. It’ll help you a lot in the long run.”
She also made sure to express gratitude for those who supported her. “Definitely my parents and family for all the games they attended and all the money they put into this sport,” she said. “And of course Coach Heinz for all the time he’s put into helping us become better.”
Aubrey Herring
For Herring, volleyball was a stage for faith as much as competition.
“These past four years have been incredible,” Herring noted. “Our connection as a team is what really leads to a lot of our wins. We don’t have drama or distractions, and the Lord is always the center. We call it an audience of one. Whether we win or lose, all the praise goes to Him.”
Herring credited Heinz for shaping her success. “I give him 90 percent of the credit,” she said. “He’s so dedicated to the team and to each individual player. He builds personal relationships with us on and off the court. He knows how to encourage us but also how to keep us focused.”
Her growth has been both athletic and mental. “I used to struggle with getting in my head if I made a mistake,” she said. “Now I’ve learned everybody makes mistakes and you just have to move on.”
Herring plans to attend the University of Mount Olive to study veterinary biosciences, with hopes of transferring to NC State for her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Reflecting on her journey, one word stands out. “Rewarding,” she said. “It’s given me amazing friends and opportunities. Going to Ohio every year to compete at that level has been incredible. I’m thankful for my teammates, for the Lord, and for my family. There’s rarely been a game where someone from my family wasn’t there to support me.”
The Legacy Continues
With three seniors graduating and a strong core returning, Mintz Christian Academy volleyball continues to set the standard for faith-driven excellence. “We’ll be in good shape next year,” Heinz said. “These girls have built something special, and their legacy will last.”