STOVERINK INKS LETTER OF INTENT WITH SHAWNEE

Despite never taking the volleyball court her senior year due to a rash of problems, Jackson High graduate Becky Stoverink recently signed a letter of intent to continue her athletic career at Shawnee Community College.

A three-year starter entering her senior season, knee surgery kept Stoverink on the sidelines all of this past season. If that wasn't bad enough, Stoverink also underwent surgery to remove a tumor on the roof of her mouth which sapped a lot of her energy.

Despite those setbacks, Stoverink wanted to get back the year of activity she lost. The only way to do that was play in college.

"Sitting out this season, I missed it so much ... I wanted to keep playing," Stoverink said. "I talked to (Shawnee coach Mike Fitzgerald) and he agreed to give me shot."

Considering Stoverink's prep career before this past season, that "shot" has a good chance of paying off for Shawnee. As a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, Stoverink helped lead Jackson to its first-ever district crown her junior year.

She was a first-team all-district selection that year after earning second-team honors as a sophomore. Jackson won the SEMO Conference title her sophomore year.

"I'm just looking forward to being able to play volleyball again and get started in college," said Stoverink, who is undecided on a major.