Miller signs to play volleyball at Omaha college
HARTINGTON - For the second time this school year, a Cedar Catholic senior signed her letter of intent to continue playing volleyball at the next level.
Brianna Miller signed with the College of Saint Mary last Wednesday, committing to continue her volleyball career.
The College of Saint Mary
is in Omaha, Nebraska, a big factor for Miller during her decision-making process.
“I am really excited,” said Miller. “I am just happy that
it is in Omaha because that is ideally where I wanted to go to college. I like that it is a very small college and a close-knit team, so I am just really excited about that.”
The CSM Flames finished 14-17 this past season and plays in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The team is coached by Rick Pruett who just finished his second season at College of Saint Mary.
Miller has been a part of the Cedar Catholic volleyball team that has made three consecutive appearances at the State Tournament. She says there
is where she started getting noticed and was where she realized she wanted to continue on with the sport.
The full journey started a few years prior.
“It was kind of in my sophomore year when I made varsity and got some playing time,’ said Miller. “It made me realize I really like this sport. Then through junior year as we went to the state tournament and got to the championship, I thought I could not just play one more season and be done. Then in
senior year, I started getting recruited more and I realized I could go play college and it would be fun.”
Miller agrees that the experience at the state tournament will help her transition to playing at a bigger stage in front of larger crowds.
“It was kind of a wake up because you are so used to being in a small gym for high school volleyball,” said Miller. “Then, you go to a stage like that and there are tons of people there not just watching you but watching other people. There
is just a lot more going on and you have to focus and not worry about who is there and watch- ing.”
The Cedar senior says she will continue as a hitter in Omaha and will also try to expand her role to help her team.
Pruett has a young team, after bringing in a large freshman class of 12 girls this Fall. With only one senior graduating and leaving the program this year, Miller joins a team that is stacked in favor of a new coach developing a program.
So far, Miller is one of three girls signed to the Flames. Miller is a middle hitter along with Kamryn Willman of Grand Island Central Catholic and Emma Hern of Omaha Marian.
Overall, Miller seems just as excited as her coach is with the potential she has.
“What really stood out was that it is a small campus in
a big city, and it is a familiar place so it is not super overwhelming,” said Miller. “ Also, the coach is very excited about his team and where he wants to take the team.”