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Copley Signs With Warner University

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

From left, Sebring High principal Toni Stivender, Pat Hargaden, Maxime Copley, Alison Hargaden, Warner University soccer coach Kurt Bienias and Blue Streak athletic director Terry Quarles were on hand as Copley signed to play soccer for the Royals on Monday.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: February 10, 2009

SEBRING - With only one year of varsity soccer under her belt, Maxime Copley made the most of her time on the field.

The Sebring standout signed a scholarship to play soccer for Warner University on Monday morning.

"It means a lot to me to be able to play soccer in college," said Copley. "I never thought with all the things that have happened in my life that I would ever sign a scholarship to play in college.

"I played basketball last year, but I played soccer this year and found out that I love it."

Warner University is an NAIA school which is located in Lake Wales and Royals coach Kurt Bienias is excited about Copley's potential.

"Maxime has good size and is very coachable," said Bienias. "She hasn't played club soccer and I think she has the potential to contribute pretty quickly.

"She will have to adjust to the speed of play and the speed of thought in the college game, but even high level club players have to make that adjustment.

"We challenge our athletes to be like chess players trying to think several moves ahead."

Copley, who was a standout on the Blue Streak cross country team, used her size and quickness to ignite the Sebring offense on the soccer pitch.

"Since I moved here a year ago, I've been working my butt off," said the Blue Streak athlete. "I've been running and training and working out.

"I called some of the soccer coaches because they didn't have much of a chance to see me play and I went up to a tryout at Warner and did pretty well.

"The girls were nice and I felt comfortable with them and playing for Coach Bienias."

Bienias, who is in his third year at Warner University as director of both the boys and girls programs, was impressed with Copley's attitude and her desire to play.

"Maxime went after it," said the Royals coach. "She contacted me and when she came up for her tryout, she blended with the girls and fit right in.

"She has a ton of potential and once we get her in here and can start working with her, she should improve quickly."

Warner's program continues to grow under the direction of Bienias.

"We've come a long way from when I first came here," said Bienias. "We've got some top players coming next fall and we've got more girls out for the team.

"This is our best recruiting class and I'm looking forward to working with Maxime and all the girls to help them reach their potential."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.co

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