My Carolina Experience: Chaniel Nelson
October 15, 2014 | Volleyball
My Carolina Experience: Chaniel Nelson
By Zoya Johnson, GoHeels.com
Since she was known as "that really good volleyball player" in high school, it comes as no surprise that Chaniel Nelson had many choices when it came to college. In the end, UNC wasn't a tough choice: It was an easy drive away from her hometown of Hickory, N.C., and it fulfilled her largest criteria by being strong both academically and athletically.
"When I came onto UNC's campus for the first time everything that I was being told on my tour intrigued me," she says. "Every sports facility I walked in made me think what great athletes and brilliant minds must have played on the courts and fields and cheered in the student section. UNC had a different feeling than any other campus I visited - it was warm and welcoming. The students that I interacted with seemed more focused and appreciative of what their education meant to them and they were also really into volleyball. Knowing that student pride for athletics is a big deal here reassured me I would always be supported by my student body."
Nelson redshirted during her first year at UNC in order to develop her skills as an opposite hitter. That spring, she made the USA Junior National A2 team. While touring with the team she played in the Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, and continued to excel at her craft. Nelson's hard work during her freshman year became evident when she returned to the court as a redshirt freshman. That year she led the team in blocks and ranked second in kills, earning All-ACC honors. She also registered double-digit kills in 16 matches, with 10 blocks in a match twice.
At the end of the year Nelson tried out for the USA team a second time and again made it, this time as one of the top 10 in her age group. She was then selected to do a showcase at AAU Nationals in Ohio in front of the nation's best volleyball players.
Nelson's success and development on the court continued in her sophomore year. She was named to the All-ACC Team for a second year in a row. Other honors included MVP of the 2012 Aggie Invite and Carolina Classic All-Tournament Team. That year, however, was cut short due to a stress fracture in her right leg that required surgery and extensive rehab. Nelson's injury would force her off the court, but her physical inability to play the following season only allowed her relentless personality to rear itself.
She took her time off as an opportunity to step up vocally and remained a leader on her team. Nelson's growth continued outside of volleyball as well. "I have become more confident, outgoing and focused," she says. "UNC has helped me towards my goals by giving me great mentors like Cricket Lane, who is Director of Student-Athlete Development. They encourage me and guide me, sharing opportunities that are available to me through career services, and forcing me to give my best in every assignment or game.
Cricket has encouraged me to open up to others and always show kindness. She is always there to listen to any issues that I have or whatever problems I am struggling with. She was a former student-athlete herself so she understands where I am coming from and has taught me to always remain positive and have a brighter outlook on life."
In 2012, Lane invited Nelson to be part of the UNC contingent at the APPLE Conference, which promotes student-athlete wellness and substance abuse prevention. Nelson has attended the conference the past three years.
"These opportunities have made me realize how lucky we are to have an athletic program that invests so much in our development because it definitely is not like that at every university," she says.
The APPLE Conference proved to be the starting point of a new UNC student-athlete group, S.W.A.G., which aims to educate and introduce student-athletes to new facts and ways to approach controversial topics like drugs, sex and alcohol. "It was with the help of Cricket Lane and a name suggestion by Giovani Bernard that helped get S.W.A.G. to where it is today," Nelson says. "By tackling these topics amongst athletes we are making them more evident in the community and helping to prevent any misconceptions that can potentially hurt or negatively impact our university."
Since its introduction to student-athletes in 2012, Nelson has gotten many team leaders involved with the S.W.A.G. movement. All of these student-athletes are dedicated to informing their peers about how their decisions affect everyone in their lives and how they can serve as role models in the community. When she graduates from UNC in December with a degree in communication studies, other student athletes will take over leadership of the group. Nelson is confident in her potential successors and their ability to grow the reach of S.W.A.G. because of their involvement with the Richard A. Baddour Leadership Academy and the dedication they have previously shown to being faces of positivity for Carolina Athletics.
As Nelson wraps up her time at UNC, she has some words of advice for Tar Heels of tomorrow. "Take note of the lessons you're learning every day and treasure your time here as an opportunity for constant growth," she says.
Carolina gave Nelson an experience that provided her the tools to become a well-rounded individual who also happens to be a talented athlete. Her nomination for the 2014 Senior CLASS award, given to a senior student-athlete who excels in community outreach, the classroom, character and as a competitor, exemplifies that. She's leaving UNC as so much more than "that really good volleyball player."
