Hall makes college choice

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands setter Kaitlin Hall (30) gets in position in a match this past fall against St. Henry. Hall recently signed with NCAA Division II Spalding University in Louisville.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Kaitlin Hall provided a lot of stability at setter over her high school volleyball career.

Her dedication to helping the Highlands Ladybirds turn the corner paid off on Friday. She signed to play at NCAA Division II Spalding University of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The school is located in Louisville.

Hall improved this year under the guidance of first-year Highlands Head Coach Katelynn Sallee. Sallee excelled at the same position at Simon Kenton and Morehead State University.

“I am excited to see Kaitlin play at the next level,” Sallee said. “I appreciate all that she has given to the Highlands program through the years. But I’m ready to watch her excel in college. She is a quality athlete and will be a valuable addition to Spalding’s program.”

Hall will major in Athletic Training at Spalding. The Golden Eagles lost in the SLIAC Tournament championship last year. They were 18-16 overall and 13-5 in SLIAC play.

“The main thing I liked about the volleyball team is they are really good at communicating with each other,” Hall said. “It was also fast-paced. I like that brand of volleyball. With the school, I liked how it was small, but everything was kind of close together.”

Hall is one of three seniors that will graduate in the spring. The other two are Jessica Ginter and Lauren Maines.

Ginter and Hall helped Highlands to a district championship as sophomores in 2012. The Ladybirds finished 17-18 last year losing to Newport Central Catholic in the district championship and Notre Dame in the 9th Region quarterfinals.

“I think we left a lot of leadership,” Hall said. “Jessica Ginter and I set the bar for having a good team to pull together and work hard no matter what.”

Hall won four letters at Highlands. Hall received a spot on the Regional All-Tournament Team and the team’s Most Outstanding Player award.