Morrill's Katelyn Walker has been a standout athlete for Morrill High School the last four years in three sports.

                 Last week, the 5-foot-8 senior made it official when she announced that she will be playing volleyball at Western Nebraska Community College next year.

                "I picked WNCC because the girls are amazing and they're super high energy and super fun and I love being fun and high energy, obviously, if you've watched me play, that's kind of who I am, so I kind of wanted to go there," Walker said at her signing press conference last week. "Coach B (Fatima Balza) is amazing. She is very experienced and she's played DI volleyball and she knows volleyball. That is why I picked them because they're just experienced and they know what is up. Also, it is close to home so everyone can come and watch. That is kind of what made me choose it."

                Walker becomes the second volleyball player signed by head coach Fatima Balza for next year. Also signing to play at WNCC was Omaha Skutt's Kayelyn Liebentritt.

Walker becomes the ninth Morrill Lion to play for the Cougars since 1980. The last one was Ashley Long back in 2005. Others include Amy Mitchell in 1997 and 1998, Nicole Weimer in 1995, Lori Schmidt in 1990 and 1991, Patti Dunn in 1990 and 1991, Stacy Ritz in 1985, Julie Begley in 1982 and 1983, and Kim Meyer in 1982.

                For Walker, it was an easy pick for volleyball, even though she is a standout on the Morrill basketball team and the track team.

                On the basketball court, Walker needs just a little over 300 points this season to register 1,000 career points. Last year, Walker had 365 points and 185 rebounds. And sitting through two games played this year so far, is at 696 career points and 402 rebounds.

                On the volleyball court, Walker finished her 4-year career playing in 320 assists and finishing with 779 kill, 231 aces, 921 digs, and 891 assists.

                Walker said volleyball is her love.

                "I have always loved volleyball forever. I love watching it, too," Walker said. "I love my other sports, too, but volleyball has always been my first love, so definitely my first pick."

                Walker, who wants to be a high school PE teacher, said she is going to enjoy her last semester at Morrill.

                "I am just having fun, really, that is why I love the sport so much is you can have so much fun with all your teammates and the bus rides and before games and after games like the girls just honestly make it; they make the sport," she said. "So, I love just having fun with them and getting to laugh and cherish every memory with them."

                After she graduated in May, she said she is ready to begin a new chapter at WNCC playing volleyball.

                "I am super excited (to start college)," she said. "Obviously I love high school, I love all these people around here, and I'm just kind of trying to enjoy every last moment of it. But I am really excited to start this new career path and see where it takes me."