Charla White #14
Sophomore | North Agusta, SC | Libero

Entering her sophmore season, Libero/Defensive Specialist Charla White from North Augusta, SC stands at 5’1” has already made a significant impact on the Clinton volleyball program. While her height may be small, her presence on the court is anything but — Charla was an important part of the team that captured the program’s historic lone season championship title, helping establish a new standard of excellence for Golden Bears volleyball.

During her freshman season, Charla quickly emerged as one of the top defensive players in program history. She set a school and career single-season record with 359 digs, led the team in service aces with 42, and averaged nearly 4 digs per set. Her ability to read the game, control the back row, and consistently make key defensive plays helped provide the foundation for the team’s championship success.

Known for her positive attitude, competitive spirit, and willingness to continue improving every day, Charla brings a strong work ethic and team-first mindset to the program. She continues to grow as a player while embracing the responsibility of being a returning student-athlete and leader.

For Charla, choosing Clinton was about finding the right balance between academics, athletics, and community. She shared, “Choosing Clinton was easy since I wanted to go to a smaller school to have a more intimate education, and I also wanted to go to an HBCU.”

Her decision became even clearer during the recruiting process. After feeling uncertain about finding the right fit, Charla explained, “I was feeling conflicted about where I would go to college because I wanted to play while I got my education and I did not like the larger size of the schools I had offers from. One day, out of the blue, Coach T and Coach Ari called me saying they would like me to play for them, and I knew Clinton was the perfect place for me.”

The relationships and culture within the volleyball program have been a major part of Charla’s experience. She credits the coaching staff for creating an environment built on support, accountability, and genuine care. “The coaches were one of the biggest reasons why I love the program so much. They are very loving and they care so deeply about every single one of their players. They are great coaches and are direct with their coaching and expectations, which makes it very easy to play for them.”

Charla also values the opportunity to compete alongside teammates who share similar experiences and backgrounds. “I also love being able to play with a bunch of girls who look like me since I have never been on a majority Black team in all 10 of my years playing volleyball.”

As she enters her sophomore season, Charla continues to represent the heart of Clinton volleyball — resilience, dedication, and a commitment to building something special. Her impact reaches beyond the stat sheet as she continues to help shape the future of the Golden Bears program.