(ABC 6 News) – Charles city was a buzz with volleyball on Sunday as the Iowa Elite Tournament was hosted at their high school.

All the money raised from the tournament went to one Charles City woman as she continues her recovery from her stroke.

Carly Stevenson had suffered a stroke in July of 2021, just before she was set to go off to college.

In the two and a half years since then, her recovery has exceeded the expectations many doctors had for her shortly after the stroke occurred.

At the end of 2023, Stevenson’s family began to bring her to Boca Raton, Florida for treatment in her ongoing recovery.

The first trip was costly to the family and their insurance company did not cover the $9,600 it costs to get her etanercept shot.

People in Charles City and the surrounding communities have continuously chipped in to help the Stevenson family cover the costs for Carly’s recovery, including most recently at a volleyball tournament, which is a sport Carly was a star at in high school.

“It’s so fun to see everyone come together, especially in volleyball this way,” said Hannah Swartzendruber, one of Carly’s former volleyball coaches. “She honestly made our job so easy. She was the type of player who was committed, dedicated. Just a people person in general.”

“She was a really good leader for our team,” added Meghan Payne, another of Carly’s former coaches. “She was a captain her senior year for us. She was just a hard worker all the way around.”

Hundreds of people were in town for the tournament and every dollar spent, whether in donation or on concessions, went toward the medical costs for Carly.

Carly’s sister, Miyah, is following in her big sister’s footsteps and is beyond excited for the turnout in support of her.

“It’s made me feel so grateful because we couldn’t have gotten anywhere without my community and anybody that’s helped us because of the treatment in Florida, we wouldn’t have raised money if nobody helped us,” Miyah Stevenson said.

Carly’s old coaches are eager to see the community rally behind her, while her continued support for her sister and the team is unwavering.

“It’s great,” said Sue Hoefer, Carly’s high school volleyball coach. “She’s come to a lot of our volleyball games here through the season to support her sister and just seeing the progress that she’s made in the last two and a half years. [I’m] excited for the prospects of what they have for her going on down in Florida.”

The courage and determination showed by Carly, both as an athlete and throughout her recovery from her stroke, has made her all the more awe inspiring to those who love her.

“She’s so dedicated, she wants to be better and she’s so encouraging for everybody around her, not only on the court but just life in general,” said Swartzendruber.

“It’s amazing to see where she’s at from where she started. She can get through anything and has all the support in the world,” Payne added.

It’s the spontaneity Carly has in her recovery that inspires so many to chip and help her out.

Carly and her mom Michelle will be returning to Florida for treatment again in early April.

As of latest updates, the tournament has raised over $1,500 dollars in funds with more to come.