Dream comes true for Belvoir youth recruited by Columbia

Photo by C. Lewis
Tabitha Wood blocks an opponent's hit during a recent match. Wood, a two-year captain and three-year All-Star for the Washington International School varsity volleyball team, has committed to play Division I volleyball for Columbia University's women's volleyball team.

Fort Belvoir Youth, Tabitha Wood, came bearing flowers and a tray of cookies for the management team of Graves Fitness Center. She wanted to thank them for their many years of support and share her good news. Wood was recruited by Columbia University women's volleyball team and offered a walk-on position by the Yale University volleyball coach.

Wood committed to play Division I volleyball for Columbia and received her official early acceptance letter.

"I am really excited," Wood said. "The new year is starting off great and I'm thrilled about college in New York City."

Wood is an International Baccalaureate honor student and two-year captain of the Washington International School Varsity Volleyball Team. She plans to study economics and journalism at Columbia. As captain, she led her high school team to its first division banner junior year and to the conference finals this year. She is a three-year All-Star and a two-year Potomac Valley Athletic Conference All-Conference MVP.

She has been training at Graves Fitness Center since 2002. What makes her training at Graves so special is that the management has had to defend her use of the racquetball courts for volleyball drills. Before using the racquetball courts, Tabitha searched all over post looking for a place to setup a net and practice in one of the many gyms.

Although, given the okay by the community commander to use the racquetball courts, racquetball patrons would give Tabitha and management grief
for booking the courts for volleyball practice. Sports director, Sheila Edwards, couldn't understand what the fuss was about. Manager, Chris Condetti, handled most of the complaints. "We are here for the military and their family members," Condetti said. "Congratulations. We are proud that (Military District of Washington) could be of support to Tabitha."

Wood felt that management deserved to participate in the celebration of her dream coming true to play collegiate volleyball in the Ivy League. "I felt that the management at Graves Fitness Center was very supportive in making this dream a reality.

"Everyone knows that practice makes being good possible," she continued. "Without the court practice times, I would not have graduated my underhand serve to my full-blown, power-hitting jump serve."

Wood is the daughter of Lt. Col. Kelvin and Tracey Wood. Lt. Col. Wood serves with the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir.