Davie High senior Lanna Robinson made a step towards her collegiate soccer career on Thursday, November 13, when she officially signed to Belmont Abbey University. The room hummed with an energy, one of pride and anticipation, from teammates past and present, family, friends and coaches. All eyes were on Robinson when she put the pen to the paper, celebrated not only for the skill that carried her to this moment but for the determination and unshakable work ethic.
Among the crowd surrounding Robinson in this joyous moment was the previous head coach for the women’s war eagle soccer program, Corbin Kopetzky, who made the drive down to support his player. As one of the coaches who guided her through this process, Kopetzky saw firsthand how Belmont Abbey wasn’t just another school on Robinson’s list; it was the school that pursued Robinson the most.
“I liked the pursuement of the coach at Belmont Abbey more,” Kopetzky said. “They really showed that they wanted her. From a coach’s perspective, I want to send her somewhere I know she’ll be safe, protected, and able to excel. Belmont Abbey really offered that.”
Even though Kopetzky is an alumnus of Lenoir-Rhyne, another school that Robinson received an offer from, he admitted he was “rooting for the Belmont Abbey route” all along.
Choosing a college is rarely easy, but adding a sport into the mix makes it that much more of an obstacle course. Robinson had toured numerous colleges, and looked into many programs—the process became exhausting. But stepping onto Belmont Abbey’s Campus, something immediately felt different.
“I toured a bunch of schools and I was honestly tired of looking,” Robinson said. “Then I got to Belmont Abbey and thought, Alright, I think I can do this. I fell in love with the team, the culture, and the coaches—they were very, very enthusiastic. And knowing they had just won the entire Conference Carolinas championship made the decision even clearer. I wanted to be part of a program competing at that level.”
While Belmont Abbey is gaining a dedicated player, Davie is preparing to say goodbye to an athlete who has been making waves in the program since her freshman year. While on paper this loss is incredibly apparent, it will be felt throughout the team.
“Well, she’s already left her own legacy,” Aubrie Pulaski, Robinson’s longtime teammate and friend, said. “She’s broken records, and I think she’s going to continue to do that. She’s leaving behind some big shoes to fill for the next generation of strikers and soccer players here.”
But Robinson’s legacy lives beyond the records but as an example to all athletes. Injuries are something that all athletes fear, and it was Robinson’s reality this past summer. Robinson had surgery for compartment syndrome in her shins earlier this year, which has about a four month recovery time. This was just a speed bump in Robinson’s path, as she put in the work to come back as fast as possible.
“Her work ethic is something a lot of people should strive for,” Bailey Aderhold, a long time friend, said. “She doesn’t let an injury stop her. She always wants to get back out there. I’ve never seen somebody work so hard for something she truly has passion for.”
Robinson’s signing day was filled with support, and celebration—an acknowledgment of everything she’s accomplished and everything still ahead. Belmont Abbey is gaining more than just a strong striker; they’re gaining a leader, a record-setter, and a player whose passion for the game has already left a lasting impact on Davie County soccer.
