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Hannah Hall and Riley Forester won’t be going far to continue their volleyball careers.

The two Morristown East hitters announced that they’d be continuing their athletic and academic careers at Walters State Community College.

“(Volleyball) has been a really important thing for me,” Hall said. “I’ve always known growing up that I wanted to play the sport, so just being able to advance at the next level has just been a really big accomplishment, seeing a lot of hard work just pay off. And I’m just beyond blessed to have the opportunity to do this, and I just thank God for giving me the ability to be able to do it every day.”

“It means a lot,” Forester said. “Volleyball has always been a big passion of mine, and I’m excited to get to take that to the next level, get better and just keep working.

Hall and Forester have played a key role in setting a new standard for Lady ‘Canes volleyball. In their four seasons, East has captured three regular-season district titles and two district tournament titles, concluding their careers with a 64-26 record.

“Hannah and Riley both have been such a huge asset to Lady ‘Canes volleyball,” Clemmons said. “They were great leaders, led by example. The drive, the grit, you know, if we weren’t practicing, they were in here putting in the work themselves. They just worked year-round. And it clearly paid off.”

As seniors, they combined for 502 kills en route to a district tournament crown.

“They’re a dynamic duo,” East head volleyball coach Leslie Clemmons, who coached them for two seasons, said. “We’re definitely going to miss them. I wish them the best in the future. I do believe they’ll be very successful in anything and everything they do in life.”

The pair has played multiple sports together for many years. In addition to their volleyball success, they have won two district tournament titles and one region title in basketball.

“It’s very special because we have been the dynamic duo,” Hall said. “We’ve grown up together playing club all together. All throughout high school, middle school, so just being able to continue to play with her. I love it.”

“It’s really special,” Forester said. “She’s my best friend. I’ve gotten to watch her grow. She’s seen me grow, and I’m glad that we get to keep playing together throughout middle school, high school and now into college and I’m excited for that.”

Though they won’t be playing his sport, Lady ‘Canes basketball coach Justin Combs has been grateful for the work that Hall and Forester has put into his program.

Both were freshman during his first season, and Hall put in nearly 1,500 points and finished as the school’s rebounding leader with more than 1,000 as a four-year starter. Combs said that he has had just one other player in his 18 years as a coach to reach that rebounding milestone.

“(Hannah) is just a phenomenal athlete all around — the kind of athlete that could have played and probably went on to the next level in any sport that she put her mind to. And obviously, she’s doing that in volleyball, and had offers to do the same in basketball. I can’t say enough about what she’s meant to our program over the four years that she’s been with us, and just a fantastic leader, vocal leader and leader by example, and has really set the bar high for all future Lady ‘Canes, whether it be a volleyball or basketball player, to follow her lead and live up to the example that she set. We’ll certainly miss her. She’ll be hard to replace, but looking forward to seeing what she does at the next level in volleyball and what the future holds for her.”

Forester started three years for Combs and saw a significant jump into her senior year as her role increased, averaging six points, 2.3 boards and 2.4 assists while solidifying herself as a knockdown shooter from behind the arc at 37% on over four attempts per game.

“Just an all-around great kid who came in for us and did whatever we asked of her,” Combs said. “In basketball, had to play a lot of different positions, sometimes in the post and sometimes on the perimeter, and was a fantastic defender and great shooter. And just another one of those leader-type kids who set the bar really high for all the kids that come after her. She’s left a great example for them to follow. And, kind of the same as Hannah, she’s a super athlete. Whatever she put her mind to, she was going to excel at. And it was fun to see the legacy that she left, all the accomplishments that she had in basketball as well as volleyball, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does at the next level.”

Hall and Forester said that their time at East High has meant a great deal to them.

“I’ve met a lot of special people throughout (my time at East),” Forester said. “The people here have helped me through a lot, and it’s just been a great blessing and a gift from God.”

“Just showing up every day, putting in the work and just leaving that legacy behind is really important. Just being someone that the younger girls can look up to, and just building those relationships that last a long time, is really special.”

The duo now hopes to have the same impact both on and off the court at Walters State.