Signing day: Kelley's Grace Balcerak signs with Maryville College
BY John D. Ferguson World Correspondent
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Bishop Kelley's Grace Balcerak route to play volleyball at Maryville, Mo., College was not a straight one. Even Balcerak’s first visit to the college was filled with humor and coincidence.
Ever since playing volleyball at Tulsa’s St. Pius School, Balcerak knew she wanted to play college volleyball.
“My mom was my first coach only because my dad signed her up without her knowledge or consent,” Balcerak said with a smile.
Fast forward through Kelley High School state championship seasons and Balcerak sought to take two college recruiting visits on her way to an Indiana club tournament.
Two stops were planned: St. Louis University and Maryville, Mo., just outside St. Louis.
The funny part is Balcerak picked Maryville because she thought it was a Catholic school. It is not. And, the coincidence was that the Maryville coach already knew of Balercak’s talent.
After meeting the team and coach, Balcerak’s mistake turned into her college of choice on signing day.
