Heather Ader and her family have found a home in Moore County. A co-founder of – and head coach for – H2 Volleyball, Heather wants youngsters entering the sports program in Southern Pines to feel the same way.
“H2 is where you can be home,” Heather, originally from California, said. “We’re providing a home teenage girls are looking for. That says we’re doing it right.”
Heather founded H2 with Tara Hartman, who’s also a head coach for the organization. Before starting H2, the pair worked together at another volleyball club. They clicked when it came to approach.
“Tara and I run H2 together,” Heather said. “Our philosophies just matched.”
According to H2’s website, Cheyenne Johnson is a U14 head coach for the program, while Jessica Mace serves as a rotating coach. Carly Modlin is a position specialist for H2. Hailey Kennedy is a U12 futures assistant coach.
Along with coaching for H2, which was launched in 2022, Heather helps with the volleyball program at Union Pines High. It’s especially true at H2, but her coaching outlook isn’t something that’s confined to one place.
“At the end of the day, it’s most important to want to be part of the team and what we are,” she said.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, where she majored in communications and mathematics, Heather played volleyball in junior college in California before heading east. Although soccer was her first love – she coached that sport while still in high school – volleyball became her main focus after she advanced from the scholastic level.
Her initial taste of coaching volleyball came after she started college in the Golden State. Today, the sport’s in the midst of an explosive run.
“I think it’s growing exponentially,” Heather said. “It is something that is being put on the map.”
As the growth continues, H2 seeks to offer elements that could distinguish it from others in the industry.
“We are going to love the life out of you, no matter what you do on the court,” Heather said.
The club has teams for girls from 9-15. They don’t have a team for male players.
“The male game is such a different game in the way it’s coached and the way it’s played,” Heather said. “You have to have the right things in place.”
H2 is headquartered in Southern Pines, but there’s hope of providing a platform for players in nearby areas short on volleyball options.
“We practice out at Sandhills Community College,” Heather said. “We want to extend out to the Carthage and Cameron communities, as well as Vass. We’re also interested in Sanford.”
For more information on H2, go to: https://www.h2volleyballnc.com/.
Feature photo: Tara Hartman (left) and Heather Ader. Contributed photo.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
