Recruiting Update: Hastings St. Cecilia’s Tori Thomas
One of the best remaining outside hitters in the Nebraska Class of 2020 is pretty much off the board, although she hasn’t made a college commitment yet. That’s because 6’0 junior Tori Thomas of Hastings St. Cecilia – the #24…
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Continue ReadingOne of the best remaining outside hitters in the Nebraska Class of 2020 is pretty much off the board, although she hasn’t made a college commitment yet.
That’s because 6’0 junior Tori Thomas of Hastings St. Cecilia – the #24 ranked prospect in the Class of 2020 and the eighth-best player still uncommitted – has opted to pursue a college career in track and field instead of volleyball.
That decision started to come into focus for Thomas this spring.
“I spent most of my early junior year stressing about whether I wanted to play volleyball or not because I knew the volleyball recruitment period was starting to end,” Thomas said. “I absolutely loved the program Coach Buttermore had at Hastings College. I have a ton of respect for him. I also saw the great things that Concordia is doing with its volleyball program, and they have an awesome throws team (in track). Around the same time it was announced that Buttermore was the new coach for UNO, and I began to see my throws take off. I realized my potential in track and that it is what I want to compete in college in.”
It’s hard to argue with the decision by Thomas. After all, she just finished 2nd (All Class) in the discus at the state track meet behind Kalynn Meyer of Superior – who broke the state record. Thomas also finished third in Class C in the shot put. Her PR in the discus is 147-7 and her PR in the shot put is 44-5.
But, she is also a dominant player on the volleyball court. This past fall, she had 325 kills while hitting .322 and also had 291 digs, 22 blocks and 28 ace serves.
As far as her college destination for track and field, Thomas said she has visited local NAIA programs Hastings, Doane and Concordia and has also visited Nebraska-Kearney. She said she is planning on visiting several Division I programs this fall.
“Right now I’m just trying to enjoy the recruitment process and not stress over it,” she said. “I made sure not to focus on recruitment during the track season because I wanted to focus on getting my marks farther first.
“The most important thing for me it that I feel at home when I step on campus. I also want to make sure my education is my first priority. In terms of athletics, I want to compete under a coach that I know will develop me to the fullest of my potential. I want my future coach to expect a lot out of me and help me to achieve it.
“It’s an even playing field in terms of front runners, but I’ll know more in a month or so.”