Chade Martin: Kennesaw State University

By signing a letter of intent Wednesday to play volleyball at Kennesaw State University, Chade Martin became Grovetown High School's first female athlete to earn an athletic scholarship.

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"It makes me really happy that I'll be remembered as the first female to sign from Grovetown High School," said the 6-foot senior, who earned a full ride to the Division I school in Kennesaw, Ga.

Last season, the Owls made it to the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships. Grovetown volleyball coach Amy Slagle believes that with Martin on the team, Kennesaw State can only improve.

"It will be an awesome experience for her," Slagle said. "She came to the sport late and most (Division) I players had been playing club ball for years.

"But she's such a sponge that anything you teach she'll pick up very quickly."

Martin started playing volleyball the summer prior to starting ninth grade at Glenn Hills High School. She continued playing as a junior at Harlem, and again as a Grovetown High senior.

Considering how much Martin has moved during the past four years, it makes the notice she received from scouts all the more remarkable.

"And me not playing summer-league volleyball made it even harder," she said. "You get looked at more in summer leagues."

When players are as naturally gifted as Martin, scouts will find them no matter what, Slagle said.

"She has a lot of hustle and a lot of leadership (ability) on the court," she said.

Last season, Martin logged 40 aces, 74 blocks, 192 kills and 151 digs.

Slagle also coached Martin in basketball at Harlem when Martin was a junior.

Though one of the top basketball players at the school, Slagle said volleyball is a better fit for Martin.

"She seems so much more comfortable on the volleyball court," Slagle said. "With volleyball, she knows what to do by instinct, whereas with basketball she has to train herself more to make the right move."