Minooka's Kooi, Rivera finalize college plans

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MINOOKA -- Lyndsay Kooi and Brea Rivera have enjoyed a lot of different experiences during their volleyball careers.

On Wednesday, the two seniors from Minooka High School got the chance to savor some of those moments during a special ceremony at their school.

Rivera and Kooi closed the books on their three-year varsity careers and began the next chapter of their athletic lives by announcing their college choices in front of family and friends.

Kooi will continue her education and career at Quincy University, while Rivera will be headed to the University of St. Francis. She will play for Saints coach Cara Currier.

Thanks in part to the efforts of the two, coach Jill Nehring's Indians captured the Southwest Prairie Conference title this season.

The Minooka coach opened the signing ceremony by talking about the many positives that setter Kooi and outside hitter Rivera brought to her program.

She talked of the leadership qualities displayed by Kooi, her two-year captain who earned all-conference honors twice and was the team's MVP as a junior.

And she reflected on the all-around ability, hard work ethic and good attitude that Rivera demonstrated despite whatever her role was with the Indians.

After the pair talked about their decisions and thanked those who helped make it all happen, a parent of each player also got to speak about the special occasion.

Beside their long careers together in the sport dating back to their junior high days, the two were members of the Ultimate Volleyball Club during the past year.

While they both enjoyed their time competing for Minooka, they are equally excited about their futures in college, elaborating on how they arrived at their decisions.

Rivera has been warmly received by coaches and players at USF and she's also happy to be going into the nursing program so that she'll be able to study physical therapy.

"I'm really looking forward to playing at St. Francis," Rivera said. "I've been talking to the coach for awhile and I got to know players on the team, so that's really helped. I wanted to stay close to home since I'm not ready to be on my own just yet.

"Everyone there was so welcoming and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I've worked really hard for this and a lot of people have helped me along the way to get this far. This was always a dream of mine, but I didn't know that it would become a reality."

Speaking of dreams, Kooi told the audience that three years ago she actually had dreamed about the very event that she was participating in, her college signing.

"I'm very excited since this is a dream come true for me, as I said in my speech," Kooi said. "I'm very grateful to the coaches at Quincy. I liked the atmosphere there because when I went to visit, I was welcomed and felt like I was part of the family.

"The coach is very knowledgeable so I know I'll become a better player. This year was a good way to end my career here. I want to thank my parents, coaches, teachers, teammates and good friends because I wouldn't have been able to do this without them."