Davidson County Community College has celebrated with and honored its athletes the past two years, but there was a little more to celebrate the third time around Tuesday evening.

At a banquet held on campus in the new conference center, athletes from volleyball and basketball were recognized for their achievements, which included national tournament appearances by each.

DCCC President Dr. Mary Rittling, was instrumental in helping bring athletics to the college. Her vision became a reality three years ago, and the success of the programs reached heights faster than she ever though they would.

“I never thought in a bazillion years we would make it to nationals in our third year,” said Dr. Rittling Tuesday evening at the festivities.

Volleyball was the first to make a splash at the national level, after winning the Tarheel Conference Championship, as well as Region X and District H titles. DCCC finished eighth in the nation and finished with a 19-9 mark.

Net players Logan Ballue, Whitley Saintsing and Katie Watkins made first-team All-Conference, while Watkins was named Region X Player of the Year and was honorable mention All-American.

“I could not ask for a better group of girls to work with,” said coach Kevin Hammond.

The basketball team has flirted with a national tournament berth before, only to lose in the Region X title game the last two seasons. That all changed with a resilient group in 2009-10 that started with 16 players but finished with eight.

Davidson finished the season ranked sixth in the country, winning regional and district championships on their way to the national tournament. The Storm fell in all three games, winding up with an eighth place finish.

They wound up 29-7 for the year that included a 21-game win streak. Justin Glover was named third-team All-American and was a a first team all-freshman selection along with Kimani Hunt. Robbie Rives was selected second-team all-freshmen. Glover also made first-team all-region with Eric Potts and Phillip Williams joining the second team.

“We had a special year and a special group,” said coach Matt Ridge. “The things these guys did behind the scenes to make this dream a reality is what it is all about. It is not necessarily the destination, but the journey. It was an amazing ride. I feel honored to be able to stand up here and say I am their coach.”