She’s always gravitated to sports, and she’ll continue to do that playing volleyball at Allegheny College beginning in the fall.

“Carly is a true team player,” describes her mother, Amy. “She shows no desire to show off, seek attention, or chase stats. She does what her coaches and teams need her to do and plays whichever team role is needed to win. But — at the same time — she is so incredibly competitive. She plays by the philosophy that second place is the first loser. She is an intense competitor with a lot of grit.”

That grit will be on display as a returning region all-star first baseman for WAHS’ varsity softball team this spring. But it’s volleyball that has captured her passion the most.

“I’ve played sports since I was really little,” said Carly. “I played from tee-ball through varsity softball and travel softball each year. I played basketball from the YMCA little kids league up through varsity, though I did choose to leave varsity-level basketball to play EPIC travel volleyball throughout the winter. And, of course, I have played volleyball from junior high level to varsity. I have had a lot of really great coaches and met so many people through playing sports. There isn’t a specific highlight from playing sports that sticks out; it is more like all of my athletic experiences combined have helped me want to continue playing in college.

“My junior year was my best year of volleyball and was truly the time when I realized that I could play in college,” she said. “Coach (Mike) Dolan brought college level volleyball up to me that year, so he started the thought process, too. My D-10 recognitions for regional all-stars and being on the Top 10 Volleyball Players to Watch list in D-10 boosted my confidence as well.”

Beers hopes to have a “strong softball season,” and then follow a blueprint being set by her big brother.

“My brother, Jared, plays football at Thiel College, so I am lucky to have someone to watch go through the balance of academics, athletics, and college life,” said Carly. “From him, I know that I have to start strength-training and conditioning. I know that my summer is going to be cut short and I will need to report early. I know that coming home can’t happen as much as it does for a traditional student. It is going to be hard work and full of time management decisions because my major is a hard one. My parents will help keep me on track from home, too. They are very supportive.”

Carly put a lot of thought into her college choice, and then it just hit her.

“I did quite a few college visits in a six-month time frame and those visits did not include Allegheny,” she said. “I was trying to narrow it down from those colleges when coach (Kelly) Barzak reached out to me about volleyball at Allegheny. We met virtually first, and then set up an overnight visit. That overnight visit, open-gym experience, and full campus tour made me realize that Allegheny was the right fit for me athletically. Academically, it was a meeting that coach Barzak set up with the assistant dean for health professions that helped me to realize that Allegheny could be the right school for my future plans in the health field.

“Actually, it was a really difficult decision,” admitted Carly. “I knew they needed a right-side hitter because the coaches had talked to me about it. I had done similar volleyball visits and had also considered LaRoche University seriously, but my time with the volleyball program at Allegheny just felt right. Each time I visit there, I feel a little more confident with my decision to go to school there and play there. In terms of volleyball, my mindset for right now is about getting to know the team and working on strength and conditioning until I arrive there in August. I know it’s a huge step up to play a college sport, but I really do love volleyball, so I am up for the challenge.”

Carly’s parents, Jeff and Amy, said the choice was all Carly’s. The responsibility that comes with being a college student-athlete is Carly’s, too.

“Over the last year, what I have noticed most is the calm and supportive way she managed playing with younger players,” said her mother. “Her patient leadership is something we are really proud of. Jeff and I are happy with her school and program choice and think it’s a good fit for her goals. We hope we instilled the right mindset, work ethic and attitude for success.”