Kids America hosts first college volleyball signing
On May 4 Kids America hosted its first college signing of four young women who are members of the Kids America Volleyball Club.
Cari Bahmer, club director at Kids America said, “I have also coached these kids through the years whether it was at high school or here at Kids America. I am so proud of them. This is our first signing here at Kids America. We hope to have many more to come. It is exciting to be sending off four kids to college not only to get their education but to be able to play volleyball and do what they love. We are very proud of them; they have worked hard. They are a great example for our community and all the younger athletes who play here at Kids America. They have been great role models over the years. Their coaches are proud of them, their parents and families are proud of them and so are we here at Kids America.”
Jennifer Bickel, 18U volleyball coach at KA said, “I coach Lacie Guthrie and Saige Abbott and in the past Kenidi Jackson and Alexa Schular. All four of these kids are signing today at Kids America. Today we are honoring these four young ladies going to the next level, playing collegiately.
Saige Abbott a senior at Coshocton High School will attend Davis & Elkins College majoring in mathematics to become an actuary or data analyst as well as playing volleyball. Abbott played for Kids America Volleyball Club for six years and her favorite memory is this season when Coach Bickel told her she was playing libero for one match. “I was so excited I jumped into her arms,” Abbott said. “That is my favorite position, and I never get the chance to play it.” She has been playing volleyball since third grade back in Oregon. Her advice for younger players is to have mental toughness. “It is one of the biggest strengths you can gain from this sport,” she said. “Being mentally tough improves you, not only as a player, but as a person too.”
Lacey Guthrie attends Coshocton High School and will be entering the University of West Virginia Wesleyan, majoring in accounting, with plans to go to law school and become a corporate lawyer. She played volleyball for Kids America’s six years and her favorite memory is going to Indianapolis to play in the NIKE Mideast Qualifier in the Lucas Oil Stadium. Her advice for younger players is to get in the gym anytime you can and always try to be consistent.
Kenidi Jackson is a senior at Coshocton High School and plans to attend the University of Pikeville in Kentucky majoring in biology with plans to next attend OSU majoring in veterinary medicine. She has played volleyball at Kids America for five years and her favorite memory is playing heads up in the hotel with her teammates and their families. Her advice for younger players is to enjoy every moment and have fun.
Alexa Schuler from Indian Valley High School plans to attend the University of Pikeville majoring in nursing to become a pediatric psychology nurse practitioner. She has played for Kids America Volleyball Club for five years. Her favorite memory is dragging towels across the floor for conditioning because we looked so funny doing it. Her advice for younger players is, “Don’t let anyone stop you from being you and soak in all of the memories.”
Abbott and Guthrie played their final season for Bickel at Kids America and Jackson and Schuler played for Elite VBC 18’s team.
“As their paths took them to different clubs for their final season of JO, their friendship remained loyal and they wanted to celebrate together at Kids America where their journey began six years ago,” Bahmer said. “These athletes put in countless hours training, lifting and traveling together while striving to reach their goal of being recruited to play collegiately. We are so proud of each one of them and cannot wait to see what their future holds.”
Category: High School, Sports
