It’s been a banner week for Payton Hefner. Saturday, the Bridgeport High School setter helped lead the Lady Indians to a Class AA state championship. Thursday, she signed to continue her volleyball career at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

 

BHS Head Volleyball Coach Ali Burton said Hefner’s talent is a good fit for the Bobcats and that is ready for the next chapter in her athletic career.

 

“She’s a great setter and in addition to what she has accomplished for us, she still has room to grow,” Burton said. “She definitely has the work ethic and love for the sport – two huge things that I feel a player has to have to continue on to the next level.”

 

Burton said she and Assistant Coach Grant Burton hold their volleyball athletes to high standards to help with the transition into collegiate play.

 

“Ever since I got here (to Bridgeport High School), Ali and Grant have pushed me,” said Hefner, who joined the Indian volleyball team as a sophomore after playing one season at Morgantown High School.

 

When she’s on the volleyball court, Hefner is in her element. She said she has felt that way since she was a little girl. She started playing volleyball at age 6, participating in Pennsylvania travel leagues. In fact, her history with WVWC Coach Nancy Wheeler goes back to those early days when she coached youth travel volleyball.

 

Growing up, Hefner tried other sports, but nothing else stuck.

 

“I played soccer, but just never clicked with it and I ran track, but didn’t click with that either,” she said. “Volleyball was my sport.”

 

She feels like God’s hand has been over it all and she looks forward to what comes next.

 

In addition to liking Wesleyan’s volleyball program, she is impressed with the academic program, too, and feels it’s an ideal learning environment to pursue her intended field of study - engineering and physics.

 

After high school graduation in May, Hefner will begin her studies in August of 2018. 

 

At BHS, Hefner is an honor roll student and member of Student Council. She said she loves her high school and will take with her to WVWC many good memories. No. 1 on the list, she said, is this year's WVSSAC Class AA championship.

 

“It means so much. We have worked so hard – my team, Ali and Grant,” she said.

 

Having her younger sister Shea on this year’s state championship volleyball team was the icing on the cake, making it all even more perfect, she said.

 

Since playing for BHS, Hefner has had nearly 3,800 assists – a school record - and annually named First Team All-State and All-County.

 

Editor's Note: See more photos of Hefner, her parents Jennifer and Chad, sister Shea, coaches Ali and Grant Burton and teammates in the gallery below. 

View Photo Gallery

Payton Hefner Signs with WVWC Volleyball Program