By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Benton senior and volleyball standout Alyia Stillman signed her national letter of intent Tuesday to play volleyball at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.
Stillman finished her four-year Benton career with over 1,000 career kills, and was part of three winning seasons, including a 16-15-1 record this past fall.
Stillman was part of a Cardinal squad that won six of its last eight matches before coming up short in four sets against Smithville in district semifinals.
Stillman says the chance to continue her playing career beyond the varsity level means everything.
"I am over the top excited," Stillman said. "I just feel so blessed to have this opportunity to be pursuing this far in my career. I'm excited, and I hope it goes further than the collegiate level. I'm really looking forward to it."
For Stillman, the dream to play college volleyball started back in grade school.
"I've had this dream since sixth grade," she said, "that this could go to the next level. I didn't have a single doubt about that - as long as I work hard enough, I could get to where I want to be."
A variety of things drew Stillman to MNU, but particularly the energy of third-year head coach Molly Karagyaurov, who was present at Tuesday's signing.
"She just has so much passion for the game," Stillman said of Karagyaurov. "That makes it so much more fun to play and to be around and to be with, and I just love it."
Stillman also credits first-year Benton head coach Lauryn Doolan, who was promoted to that position in the spring after three years as an assistant with the Cardinals.
"Lauryn was amazing," Stillman said. "She transitioned very well and she knew what she was talking about and how to talk to us and push us even harder. That's what really made it an amazing season this year."
Mid America Nazarene competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference at the NAIA level. Stillman played primarily outside hitter for the Cardinals, and will start out at the defensive specialist position for the Pioneers.
Also signing NLIs Tuesday were St. Joseph Central’s Chloe Bell for North Central Missouri softball, and Savannah’s Kaylence Cook, who also signed for North Central Missouri softball.
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