MARION, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head volleyball coach Billina Donaldson has announced the signing of Pleasant High School senior Autumn Snider for the 2013 season.
Snider, a versatile 5-foot-11 middle blocker, has amassed 159 kills, 48 blocks and .447 hitting percentage this season for head coach Kim Atherton's team. The Spartans take a 19-5 record into Saturday's Division III district championship game against Bloom Carroll.
"I am overwhelmed with excitement about signing with the RedStorm," said Snider. "It's been a dream of mine to play in college since my freshman year."
Snider, a three-year varsity player at Pleasant, is part of a high school program that has won 11 consecutive sectional titles and will be making a sixth district title game appearance under Atherton. She is the top blocker in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference.
"Autumn is a middle hitter who jumps like an outside hitter," Donaldson said. "Her vertical is right up there with some of the best hitters in our league and she swings with a very heavy arm. She is exlopsive and has amazing hang time."
Snider, who plans to major in Nursing, chose to sign with Rio Grande after also receiving interest from Roberts Wesleyan.
"The deciding factor for my choice to attend Rio Grande was the atmosphere of the University and the friendliness of coach Donaldson and her players," she said."
While admitting that she still has room for improvement on her back row skills, Snider added that there are strengths to her game that she can bring to the program.
"I can bring my athleticism and my knowledge of the game," Snider said. "My ultimate goal while at Rio is to bring all my skills to my new team and become a better player."
Donaldson clearly is excited about the addition of Snider.
"She'll be the kind of player who gets noticed early on in her career because of the quick, explosive delivery of her attacks," she said. "She's a smart player and the best thing about her is that she will be entering her freshman year with a setter who knows her and her timing."
Donaldson also signed fellow Pleasant High senior Kayla Briley during the same ceremony.
"These two girls are great players and play well together. They have the mentality that I've been looking for in players since I started at Rio," Donaldson said. "I've had the pleasure of coaching some very fine players who were great individuals as well. I'm looking forward to their careers."
Snider is the daughter of Anita and Phil Snider of Marion.
