By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Surrounded by family and teammates Friday morning, Galion’s Reanne Neal officially traded in her Tigers’ stripes for Eagles’ wings. Neal signed a scholarship letter-of-intent to continue her volleyball career at Ashland University.
“Basically I love the coaches there, and I got a good vibe from the girls on my visit,” Neal said about choosing Ashland. “(The University of) Findlay and Indiana Wesleyan University, those were my other main two.”
Neal also had the interest of Bluffton University and Ohio Wesleyan University.
The 2014 fall campaign was a stellar senior season for the daughter of Brenda and Gary Neal. She was named first team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference and was named the MOAC’s player of the year. The Lady Tiger’s middle hitter was also named All-Crawford County All-Star, All-Northwest District and second team All-Ohio in Division II.
The lanky middle hitter helped lead the Lady Tigers to a co-championship with Jonathon Alder in their first season in the MOAC.
Ashland University is an NCAA Division II school and a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Lady Eagles had bit of a down year with an overall record of 1-15 and 10-8 in the GLIAC in 2014 for fourth-year head coach Cass Dixon.
“As of right now I’m going to play middle hitter where I did in high school, unless they find somewhere else for me to play,” Neal said of her immediate future on the volleyball court. “They have a big roster so I’m not guaranteed playing time, but hopefully I’ll get some playing time my freshman year.”
Playing all four years under Galion volleyball coach Jaime Valentine, Neal reached the 1,000-kill plateau in high school.
“I’ve had a successful career and had a great coach all four years,” Neal said about her time at Galion.
Neal plans to major in Early Childhood Education at Ashland.