Two Raiders extend volleyball careers

COLUMBUS -- Two Central Community College volleyball players will move on to continue their athletic careers.

Amanda Nelson and Allison Smith have signed letters to play for four-year institutions. Smith signed to play for Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo., April 9, while Nelson signed to play for Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, April 18.

Raider coach Mary Young said she is excited for both players as they were part of the 2006 team that qualified for the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, while they were runner up in the Region IX Tournament this past season.

“Both are great students and will be Academic All-Americans for us,” Young said. “Both players are very excited about the opportunity of playing more volleyball. That is rewarding as their coach, just to see them happy and getting a chance to spread their wings. We at Central Community College are thrilled for them.”

For Nelson, she finished her Raider career with two school records for setters. She finished with a career total of 3,288 set assists and also had 1,794 during the 2006 season. She received first-team All-Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference and first-team All-NCJAA All-Region IX honors as a freshman and sophomore. She also was a NJCAA Division II honorable mention as a sophomore.

At first, Nelson opted to go to Concordia. Then her dad, Blaine, asked her about Morningside. She didn't know if they needed a setter, then Blaine called Morningside head volleyball coach Rick Pruett to ask if he needed a setter. A few weeks later, Pruett called him back and said he was looking for a setter, and Amanda went to Sioux City to try out. The rest is history.

Nelson said there were many reasons why she chose the Mustangs, but the main one was because it's closer to her hometown of Wakefield.

“(Being closer) gets my parents a chance to watch me play more,” Nelson said. “It also gives me a chance to come home and watch my younger brothers and sisters play in their sports as well. I just loved the school, and the girls on the team were cool. Rick was very nice. He seems like a nice guy to play for.”

Morningside finished the 2007 season as the Great Plains Athletic Conference Champions with a 33-4 record. Pruett said Nelson will make a great fit for the program, just because of her knowledge of the sport of volleyball.

“She brings instant experience and hard work to our program,” Pruett said. “She is able to run a quick offense and plays good defense. I love her personality. She is a leader and a hard worker. On top of that, she has great volleyball skills.”

Smith also received some recognition while playing middle hitter for the Raiders. She was an All-Region IX performer and an Academic All-NCCAC selection for the past two seasons. During her sophomore year, she was an All-NCCAC player and was named to the All-Region IX Tournament team.

Smith didn't want to be done playing volleyball, so she sent out questionnaires to many schools and Missouri Western was one that answered. She was more than excited when Golden Griffin coach Tiffany Mastin told her they needed a middle hitter.

"I ended up really liking it,” Smith said. “I really liked the players on the team, and I clicked with the girls. I’m excited that I will be playing volleyball.”

Missouri Western finished the 2007 season with a 10-22 record. Despite that, Smith said she feels the program is on the rise.

“I think the coach is doing a good job,” Smith said. “After my tryout, I ended up really liking her, and I like what she is doing with the team.”

Mastin said she couldn’t be more thrilled to get a player like Smith.

“Not only is she a great volleyball player, but a great person,” Mastin said. “I'm not only impressed with her athleticism, but also her maturity that she takes in making decisions. She is determined to be a great player and a leader to the younger girls in this program. Once she gets adjusted to the very fast-paced offense that we run, she will be a great volleyball player.”

As for her career, Smith said her two years playing for Central were times she will never forget.

“It's been a great experience,” Smith said. “I’ve played with a bunch of nice girls here. It's been nice to call Columbus my home these past two years. It had the small-town feel with being close to Lincoln and Omaha. I will be sad to leave, but I'm happy to move on.”

As for Nelson, the one thing she will miss was playing for Young, but she will come back to watch a few matches to watch her sister Lexi play volleyball. Lexi signed with the Raiders.

“I wish I had two more years to play for (Young),” Nelson said. “If I had the opportunity to play for her again, I would. She loves the game and took care of us very well. I'm going to miss that.”