O'Fallon's Kombrink to play volleyball for Illinois-Springfield
Was two-year starter at setter for OTHS
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| SCOTT MARION PHOTO O'Fallon senior Courtney Kombrink is flanked by her parents, Stan and Stephanie, as she signs a letter of intent to play volleyball at the University of Illinois-Springfield. Looking on in the back row are OTHS athletic director Todd Moeller and volleyball coach Erin Legendre. |
On Wednesday, the OTHS senior signed a letter of intent to play next season for the University of Illinois-Springfield.
"We're sure going to miss her. She was great to have for four years in the program," said Panthers coach Erin Legendre. "Courtney has blossomed from being a young player walking on the court as a freshman. From her freshman year to her senior year, she's just done wonders for the program."She's a setter and it really makes a difference having height at that position. For her to be able to able to set in a 5-1 (offense) and play all around, she did an excellent job at all times. She's mentally tough on the court and she's a great leader on and off the court. She's willing to take on any role.
"She's also a good basketball player, so she's just a well-rounded athlete. She's going to school that's going to be (NCAA) Division II and it's going to be a good fit for her. She got a full scholarship, which is great."
Illinois-Springfield (formerly Sangamon State) is in the process of changing its athletic affiliation.
"They're NAIA right now, but my sophomore year they'll turn Division II," Kombrink said. "That didn't really have any impact on my decision. I just liked the campus and they have the program I want to go into, which is social work and maybe psychology.
"I also looked at McKendree (University), Webster (University) and Union College in Jackson, Tenn. But Springfield had my major and they're close to home.
"The volleyball team did pretty well last year. They'll have a senior setter next year and there are two setters coming in as freshmen, but hopefully I can get some playing time right away. The biggest adjustment will be playing with a different group of girls because I've been playing with everyone from O'Fallon for a few years now. It will be a lot more fast-paced, so I'll have to get used to that."
Last fall, O'Fallon was 21-14 overall, losing to Belleville West in the first round of the Class AA Belleville East Regional. In 2006, the Panthers were 14-18, losing to Collinsville in the second round of the O'Fallon Regional.
"I played two full seasons of varsity and dressed at the end of my sophomore year," Kombrink said. "We got better over the years. I wish we could have gone farther, but that's alright. I'll miss playing with everyone.
"In basketball, I dressed varsity at the end of my freshman year and played three full seasons. I mainly looked at volleyball for college because I didn't know if I would have the strength to play basketball. I would have loved to continue on, but I want to focus on one sport in college.
"I'm 5-11 1/2, maybe 6 foot with shoes on. There are not many other tall setters, so it did help. Running a 5-1 offense and playing the front row, you can tip the ball easier."
In deciding to play a sport in college, Kombrink is following a family tradition.
"My brother Craig went to SIU-Carbondale and played football as an offensive lineman," Kombrink said. "He'll graduate this spring, so last fall was his last season.
"My sister Katelyn plays volleyball at McKendree and she's a junior this year. My first year Springfield will play McKendree, so that will be cool. It will be the first time we've faced off on opposing teams, so it will be kind of weird. Hopefully I can play in that game.
"I've always looked up to them when they played sports. I'm following in their footsteps and I'm glad that I can continue on playing."
