Melissa Cochran, a native of Knightdale, N.C., came to Barton College in 2011 and developed into one of the best women’s volleyball players in recent memory.

Melissa played in all 385 sets during her four-year stint with Barton and was a two-time All-Conference Carolinas selection including a first-team pick as a senior in 2014.

Melissa was also named the 2011 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and was a three-time Team Most Valuable Player.

Melissa ranks fourth all-time in school history in blocks (375) and tenth in program history in kills (1,144).

Melissa was also a Conference Carolinas Academic All-Conference honoree in 2013 and was a multiple member of the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll.

Melissa, 2015 graduate of Barton College, earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama and currently serves as a psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner. 

Melissa also works on an assertive community treatment team that provides care to individuals with severe mental illness.