TRALEE, Ireland — Basketball has always taken Essence Sumner to places she never expected.
The Catawba Valley Community College women's basketball alumni now finds herself coaching and competing overseas in Ireland.
Sumner played basketball for the Red Hawks from 2020-22. She finished her CVCC career averaging 9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
After graduating with her associates degree from Catawba Valley, Sumner would complete her academic and athletic journey at Lees McRae and eventually graduate with a degree a bachelor's degree in exercise science.
Uncertain of her future after graduating from Lees McRae, a rare opportunity would present itself to Sumner.
"I got recruited to play overseas basketball in Rome, Italy while also being able to get my masters in one year," Sumner said. "This was my dream since being at Catawba Valley. I spent the summer preparing to play overseas and growing my training business — G.T.A (GrindTime athletics)."
During her time in Italy, Sumner would complete her master's degree at Rome City Institute in sports management and coaching.
"The experience helped me gain more knowledge as a player, coach and a leader," Sumner said of being in Italy. "After graduating, I returned to the states for the summer and was open to more opportunities to play and coach overseas."
After spending this past summer attending basketball events in Charlotte, playing semi-pro basketball and growing her training business, Sumner would be presented with three unique playing and coaching opportunities in Florida, North Carolina and Ireland.
Sumner eventually decided to become the head coach and director of youth development at a basketball club in Tralee, Ireland where she also plays for the women's basketball team.
"I was scared at first and hesitant at which to choose or which path to go," Sumner said. "I chose Ireland because I was able to coach and continue to play overseas, stretching my horizon."
Despite being overseas, Sumner remains close to her Catawba Valley roots, and she gives credit to the program for helping her during her journey so far.
"Catawba Valley gave me another chance at playing basketball and shaped me as a player to endure through adversity," she said. "It strengthen my training and my mind on my own with how intense, vigorous and competitive the program was. This helped me develop my skills as a head coach and skills as a player. Coach (Tisha) England, Coach Nikki (McCaskill) and the CVCC community were vital in this growing process. I still reach out to coach England for advice and support through my challenges from Lees McRae to now in Ireland as a second year overseas player and professional basketball coach. I thank God for giving me the strength and perseverance. I thank him for placing the right people in my life to help me along the way — Catawba Valley Community College being one of them."