Highlights from J480 Advanced Photojournalism

PHOTO BY REBECCA YAN

Willoughby (left) and Albright react after an intense play the girls had against Chapel Hill in the second set of their senior night game on October 18. "The Chapel Hill girls gave them some challanges," said Mike Willoughby, father of senior player Lauren Willoughby. "They actually had to fight for it and show

that they want it this time."

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY REBECCA YAN

Madison Bugg, co-captain and future setter for Stanford University, jokingly "booty-bumps" sophomore teammate Cheyenne Wood while teammate Olivia Koscso gazes awkwardly at the situation  as they walk toward their match against Broughton High School on October 19. The team has a consensus that they have an "interesting dynamic".  "The common deception people have about us is that we're serious all the time because we win championships," said Willoughby. "But the truth is, we're really serious on court, during matches, but have so much fun during practices and do silly things when we're off the court."

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY DANIEL M. N. TURNER

As most of the players snooze, head coach Green stares out the windows of the charter bus taking the Bulldogs to their sectional-round playoff game against the Cleveland Rams on November 18.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY CAITLIN KLEIBOER

Francis Gondo, 34, of Raleigh, N.C., moved to North Carolina over three years ago from Brazaville in the Republic of Congo.  He came in hopes of finding a good job so he could move his family over to be with him.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY SPENCER BAKALAR

Juniors Katie Birmingham-Corbett (left) and Megan Hutzenbuhler sleep on the way to a game in Raleigh. The two are not starting players, but frequently fill in when coach Melanie Bryant gets frustrated and looks down the bench. "One time I saw the whites of her eyes," joked Birmingham-Corbett. "I was scared for my life."

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY SPENCER BAKALAR

Because of routine medication and daily therapy, Cooper usually falls asleep as soon as the family finishes eating dinner. "Come on, buddy. Daddy's going to take you to bed," says Justin Herman.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY BRYCE BUTNER

Hubert (last name withheld) of Sanford, N.C., struggles to control his drug use, but mourns for the state of Sanford and many of his friends who have been consumed by the crime that abounds here. "I sit on the curb and I cry for Sanford," Wolbeck says. "When you're driving on these streets, you're driving on my heart."

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY SPENCER BAKALAR

Miracle Barnes, 15, became pregnant with Arionna at 14. "I...couldn't believe it was true...I thought it was going to go away," Barnes said.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY REBECCA YAN

Hargrave jokingly headlocks Willoughby as the senior players wait in the weight-room before their senior night match against Chapel Hill. The younger teammates confined the senior players to the weighroom while they

signed scrapbooks for each of the graduating girls that were presented to them after the match. Although hairbraiding and hairbow tying are common tradtions amongst volleyball players, Willoughby disaproves of them. "We are already treated as a unserious sport," she said. "Bow tying and headbands just confirms that stereotype."

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY DANIEL M. N. TURNER

Senior Malik Grice, right, and sophomore Jaimeon Harvey, left, keep warm and focused in a public restroom prior to a game against the Eastern Alamance Eagles. Many members of the team have struggled to adapt in the wake of loosing their star quarterback and close friend; Malik moved from wide receiver to starting quarterback, while Jamieon stepped up to take the open WR spot.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY REBECCA YAN

The night-shifts are wearing down Umstead two weeks into the job. "Like I told you when you started," said Dunford," a day won't get you, two days won't get you, but you'll start to feel it three days in." Umstead tries but can't stay awake for his morning classes.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO BY REBECCA YAN

"If I'm really going to better myself, I need to move out of this area," said Umstead. "You can't hang around all the bad influences and think that you can still be clean." He sometimes talks to his girlfriend about moving "out to the country," but she preferes living in the city. Umstead has mixed feelings about staying with his girlfriend as they often get into fights, but he has to "play sweet with her so he will have a roof over his head.