Hailey Noblitt never really thought about her volleyball career ending. Now it won’t have to for a while longer.
Noblitt has signed to play volleyball at Evangel University in Springfield next year. She’ll join Republic teammate Alli Wright in a Crusader uniform.
“I’ve really thought I was going to play college volleyball all my life. I never thought that it would really end,” Noblitt says. “I have done this all my life and I can’t think of any other thing I want to do.”
Noblitt says she’ll pursue a nursing career, and the academic program in that area attracted her to Evangel, as well.
“I saw that they work with cadavers, and they make it very hands on there, and that’s what I like about it,” she says. “The professor said he would really work with me on my volleyball and very small campus.” She’s not only looking forward to the small class sizes at Evangel, but also to the opportunity to attend chapel. “I really like going to church, and I think that will really grow me as a person,” she says.
Noblitt says her time as a Lady Tiger has taught her lessons she’ll take to college — especially the communication stressed by coach Piper Wright.
“She always taught that enthusiasm was very important, and communicating with your team and being very supportive. That was very key to what we live by,” Noblitt says.