Volleyball Signs Claire Duncan Through Team IMPACT
8/24/2026 7:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina volleyball welcomed 14-year-old Claire Duncan as its newest team member through Team IMPACT during a special signing ceremony Monday inside the HTC Center. Duncan is the first Team IMPACT match in Coastal Carolina University history.
"We're so thankful to have an opportunity to be part of the community, and being with Claire and her family fits who we are as a program," Chanticleer head coach Steve Loeswick said. "Sometimes things are just meant to be together."
Duncan, who is battling leukemia, will participate in numerous activities with the Chanticleers, including matches, practices and other team events.
"This is so incredible, and it does feel like it's meant to be with how Team IMPACT matched us with the volleyball team here at Coastal," Claire's mother, Julie, said. "They're an amazing group of women who are strong influences for Claire."
Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides mutually beneficial relationships between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment and resilience.
"We adore Claire," junior outside hitter Anzley Rinard said. "She's been through some of the hardest things that I don't think anyone should have to go through. The way she carries herself and comes into our gym every day, I'm astonished by how strong she is. We have grown as women because of her.
"It's so exciting to have her here with us. Now she's our teammate, and we get to see her, hang out with her and do these things with her. We just love her."
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 4,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Coastal Carolina app on your mobile device. Follow @CoastalVBall on Instagram and X, and Facebook, and subscribe to CCU Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Chants.
"We're so thankful to have an opportunity to be part of the community, and being with Claire and her family fits who we are as a program," Chanticleer head coach Steve Loeswick said. "Sometimes things are just meant to be together."
Duncan, who is battling leukemia, will participate in numerous activities with the Chanticleers, including matches, practices and other team events.
"This is so incredible, and it does feel like it's meant to be with how Team IMPACT matched us with the volleyball team here at Coastal," Claire's mother, Julie, said. "They're an amazing group of women who are strong influences for Claire."
Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides mutually beneficial relationships between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment and resilience.
"We adore Claire," junior outside hitter Anzley Rinard said. "She's been through some of the hardest things that I don't think anyone should have to go through. The way she carries herself and comes into our gym every day, I'm astonished by how strong she is. We have grown as women because of her.
"It's so exciting to have her here with us. Now she's our teammate, and we get to see her, hang out with her and do these things with her. We just love her."
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 4,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Coastal Carolina app on your mobile device. Follow @CoastalVBall on Instagram and X, and Facebook, and subscribe to CCU Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Chants.
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