Knights volleyball standouts moving on
NEW LENOX -- Lincoln-Way Central High School has sent a number of girls volleyball players to the college ranks during recent years.
And now, Ellen Sawin and Megan Scara join that group after announcing their college plans at a college signing ceremony last week.
Five other Knights, including football players Mike Goodman and Brandon Nigro, also made their college choices official.
photo submitted by kathleen stacy holland
Sawin will continue her education and career at the University of Evansville while Scara will be attending The Citadel.
"I got to meet all of the girls and coaches and loved them all, so I'm really excited about going to Evansville," Sawin said. "By the end of the day of my visit, I knew that was where I wanted to go. I'm really lucky to find such a great place and one where I'm going to feel at home at."
"Before they became interested me for volleyball, I really didn't know that there was a Citadel," Scara said. "But when I went on my visit, I loved the city (Charleston, S.C.) and the school was warm and inviting. I never thought that I could go to a school like that, so I'm so excited."
Goodman is headed toward the University of Dubuque while Nigro is the latest Knights player to go to McKendree University.
"I'm real excited about going to Dubuque," Goodman said. "They lost both of their starting senior running backs so there's a chance I can get some playing time. They have a real good program that's up and coming, I really liked the players and the coaches are all good guys."
Garland, who has been a standout for the Knights during their successful run of the last four years, is going to Lewis University.
"I was hurt, so it took me awhile to start talking to colleges," Garland said. "Lewis seemed to understand things the best and Coach (Evan) Fiffles has been watching me since I was a freshman, so he knows that I'm a hard worker. And I know a bunch of players who are still there."
Marquardt is excited about continuing his baseball career at St. Joseph's College in Indiana.
"I liked that St. Joseph's is a really small school and it's not that far, so it's still close to home," Marquardt said. "Right now they're in the top 10 in the nation, so that's also good. I've been dreaming about playing in college since I was a little kid, so I'm grateful to get this chance."
Spires gets the opportunity to compete for the bowling team at McKendree University
"The coach is so nice and the girls are amazing and were so open with me, so I really liked it at McKendree," she said. "I know some of the girls who bowled in the same conference as I did, so that helped. It's a small school, which is what I wanted, and it's just far enough away from home."