June 12, 2017 - Panola College Volleyball is proud to announce that all five sophomores from the history-making 2016 Fillies Volleyball team will continue both their education and playing careers at 4-year universities in the fall. Ana Oliveira, Rachel Henderson and Victoria Baptista each signed a National Letter of Intent in April, while Morgan Currie committed in May and Cyrani Butler finalized her decision this week.
Ana Oliveira will be continuing her playing career at NCAA Division II Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Oliveira became only the second 1st Team All-American in Panola Volleyball history after being named Conference Player of the Year her sophomore season, and SBU Head Coach Caira Dortch is eagerly awaiting the elite level talent and experience Oliveira will bring to the Bearcats program this fall.
Rachel Henderson will travel to the East Coast to attend NCAA Division I Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Henderson was a 1st Team All-Conference performer and emotional leader for the Fillies this past season, and will be depended on to bring that same fire and passion to the TSU Tigers where she will compete under the direction of Head Coach Donika Sutton.
Victoria Baptista, a 2nd team All-Conference selection and the 2016 Region XIV Tournament MVP, will be attending Liberty University, a NCAA Division I school and program in Lynchburg,Virginia. There, she will be expected to emerge quickly as a versatile leader who is able to contribute both offensively and defensively for the Lady Flames under the direction of Head Coach Shane Pinder.
Morgan Currie didn't have to travel far to make her decision, committing to attend Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Due to an unfortunate knee injury suffered late this past spring, Currie will take a medical redshirt her first year before resuming her playing career as a Lady Techster in fall 2018. The former Region XIV-North Libero of the Year as a freshman at Panola and 2nd Team All-Conference honoree as a sophomore will undoubtedly make her presence known quickly with a year to train under her belt before she is anticipated to earn a significant role under Head Coach Adriano de Souza.
Cyrani Butler rounds out this year's sophomore class with her decision to attend the academically- prestigious Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. In her two years at PC, Cyrani provided valuable depth in the defensive position and was a critical piece of the leadership puzzle for this year's national tournament run. Head Coach Janay Yancey anticipates gaining Butler's contagious energy and work ethic in the Golden Tiger's gym this fall during her first year at the helm.
