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Panthers Wood weighs choices, picks KCU volleyball Published 11:52 pm Monday, July 20, 2026 CHESAPEAKE Erin Wood stood there smiling.
Not a forced smile, but a smile that seemed like it would last a lifetime.
Wood may have been thinking about the quote from Mark Twain, who once said, Never regret anything that made you smile.
Passing on some academic scholarships to attend Marshall University, Wood elected to follow her heart and attend Kentucky Christian University and continue to play the sport she loved.
Wood weighed her decision extensively, before deciding to play volleyball for the Knights.
I had a phone call from coach Darby (Walker) and she said she would offer me a scholarship, said Wood, who played travel volleyball for six years along with middle school and high school.
I always never wanted to regret at least trying to play college volleyball, so I reached out to coach Darby and she gave me an offer and I said of course I want to continue playing volleyball in college.
Who wouldnt want to play a sport they love so much? Wood has played setter, libero, defensive specialist, outside hitter, opposite hitter and middle blocker.
She said it didnt matter to her where she played.
Ive played every single position.
Anytime a coach needed me to play somewhere, I would play it.
I didnt want to let the team down.
Id just do whatever to make it work, said Wood.
Carrie Hill coached Wood this past Chesapeake season, and had nothing but superlatives when describing the talented player.
Shes amazing.
She will pick up and do anything you ask.
From her, its what does the team need.
Thats what every coach dreams of.
She can play every position, said Hill.
She is truly one of those people who says, Coach, where do you need me? And she plays her heart out.
Wood admitted she did test the water by playing other sports, but when push came to shove, it was volleyball that was left standing.
I played basketball when I was little, like first grade.
Ive been playing volleyball since second grade, said Wood.
I tried lots of different sports like basketball, soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading, all of that.
But I never liked anything as much as I liked volleyball.
Wood said she has only a few basic goals, as she prepares to embark on her college career.
My main goal is just getting out of my head and playing to the best of my ability and glorifying God, honestly.
Thats my main goal, said Wood.
Ive never been one to be obsessed with stats.
I just go out there and try and play my best and do it for the glory of God.
Although volleyball consumes most of her free time, Wood said she has an artistic side.
I like to sketch and draw.
I took art all four years of Mrs.
(Robin) Kimble.
I love to draw and paint and anytime Im a happy person.
Anytime I have free time I do that.
Hill said Wood is more than just a good volleyball player.
She is not only a phenomenal player, a coachs dream, but shes an even better young lady, said Hill.
She has faith at the center and her family is amazing.
I have a god-daughter who would always come to the games and (Erin) was the first to step in and help with her.
Wood plans to major in nursing.
I want to be a Niki nurse and KCU has one of the top nursing programs, said Wood, referring to a registered nurse which specializes in neonatal nurse work and providing critical care to premature and ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units.