Jones, Eickhoff will play college volleyball

HARTINGTON — Two mainstays and key figures of the 2022 Cedar Catholic state volleyball title team will continue their playing careers at the collegiate level.

Last week, Lexi Eickhoff and Katy Jones signed letters of intent to play at Mount Marty and Northeast CC where they will keep their playing days alive and well.

“Katy really came in and was so consistent and reliable with passing,” Cedar head coach Denae Buss said. “She has an exceptional ability to see the floor and read on defense.

Lexi has worked tirelessly to perfect her blocking and hitting where she really shines. They both have put a lot of extra hours into their craft that goes beyond what is expected. They both did club volleyball, extra camps, extra workouts, watched film, and really thought about what they can bring to the team and how they could be leaders.”

The signing put Eickhoff in a reflective mood.

“I really looked back on kind of high school and how the people I played with in the past could get me there,” she said. “It was not just me, obviously. I mean, at practice, you can’t improve without a person across the net making you better. That’s how I thought of it.”

Eickhoff immediately connected with the Mount Marty program and that made the decision easy for her.

“I really like their coach and when I practiced with the girls, they just seemed very personable,” she said. “They would take me in and it just kind of felt like home in a sense.

“They’re very outgoing and supportive, you know? It kind of reminded me of Cedars team and all the time I spent with them.”

Eickhoff hopes to study biology and ultimately become a physical therapist.

Jones will head to Norfolk after completing her three years at Cedar which began after transferring from Wayne after her freshman year.

“I decided to go to Northeast because it was close to home,” Jones said. “The coaching staff and the girls on the team were really welcoming.

“I’m just really excited to see where it takes me. I still keep going and keep playing volleyball and it’s really what I want.”

Jones appreciated her time at Cedar after making the trip up the road from Wayne. “Cedar is a very different culture than Wayne and they were very welcoming and it’s like I just clicked with everyone there,” Jones said. “They are really fun to just be around and it’s just really cool to see how close everyone is.” Jones will study business marketing and then will focus on cosmetology after she graduates. The two girls will be missed as the Lady Trojans see off two of their key players of the past three years. “Both players stepped up to become leaders on and off the court and really leave a legacy behind them,” Buss said. “They worked hard to get to move onto the next level and without a doubt put all they have learned into helping their next teams. We are extremely proud of these two players and wish them the best in the future. We will be there cheering them on.”