Alliance Bulldog Senior Avah Steggall is taking the next steps to chase her dreams as after signing a letter of intent to play volleyball at North Platte Community College on November 16.
Steggall’s passion for sports began in the third grade, where she started playing volleyball and basketball, and watching sports on television.
“I watched a lot of Husker Volleyball and NBA games in third grade,” said Steggall.
Steggall competed in track and field, volleyball and basketball throughout her middle school years. It wasn’t until she transitioned into high school from middle school when things started to take off for her career, where she lettered in volleyball and had won the Freshman MVP Award. Although nervous at first when playing as a freshman for the Alliance High School Volleyball team, she adjusted quickly with help from her teammates.
“When I first began to play in high school, I was very nervous because it was a lot different than middle school volleyball, but I had a lot of great leaders such as Emerson Cyza and Riley Rolls to push me and help me with that transition,” said Steggall.
Steggall went on to her Sophmore year where she added two more letters in basketball and volleyball.
Bringing the total number of letters earned to three. During Steggall’s junior year, she earned Varsity’s Most Improved Player in basketball. Steggall became the team captain of the varsity volleyball team, where she also won the varsity most inspirational award and All-Conference in volleyball. Steggall also earned another two letters in basketball and volleyball to her already three letters and was on the Omaha World Herald Class “B” Honorable Mention List.
In Steggall’s senior year, she lettered in basketball and volleyball again making for a total of seven letters. She won the Varsity Senior Award and the Offensive MVP Award in basketball. She was All-Western Conference in volleyball and earned the Omaha World-Herald Class “B” Honorable Mention List again. She also broke the school record for aces served in a match with nine aces against Gordon-Rushville.
“At first I didn’t know I did it. I ended up finding out a couple games later, and I was so happy because it was Jordan Hooper’s record that I broke. I was very excited that I got on the board, and I could represent that award and set a goal for the younger players to beat,” said Steggall.
Out of all the awards she won throughout her career thus far, the Omaha World-Herald Class “B” Honorable Mention List is the one that holds the most value to her.
“I come from the west, and not a lot of players from the west are recognized as much as the east players. That’s really exciting,” said Steggall.
Steggall played volleyball and basketball for four years for Alliance High School, while dabbling in track and field her freshman and sophomore years. Out of every sport Steggall played, volleyball has been her favorite.
“I love the game and learning new things about the sport. The team chemistry and having to work together for the same goal,” said Steggall.
Steggall signed a letter of intent to play Volleyball for North Platte Community College last year on November 16, where she is excited to head to North Platte to play Volleyball. She said she also will miss playing high school volleyball in the Bulldog blue and white.
“After my senior year, I felt upset that I would never play with any of my former teammates and I never could put on an Alliance jersey, but excited to go to North Platte and continue playing and meet my new teammates,” said Steggall about her transition to college volleyball.
Steggall chose North Platte Community College after a summer visit where she found the campus to feel like a home away from home.
“I went on a visit there this summer. From the moment I stepped on the campus, it just felt like home. Everyone was very welcoming. The buildings were so nice, and North Platte isn’t that far away from Alliance, so I can come home on the weekends or kind of whenever I want. It was a good area, good people and a good environment that I can see myself in,” said Steggall.
Steggall will be majoring in education and is thinking about coaching while she is at North Platte.
“Ever since I was little, I dreamed of being a teacher. I love teaching others things that they may not know and I want to make an impact in kids’ lives,” said Steggall.
Steggall is proud of her accomplishments so far and gives credit to lessons learned while attending Alliance High School.
“I am proud of myself for accomplishing all the things I did in high school, but I feel like I am just getting started. High school sports have helped me learn so much and achieve so much to help me build my future,” said Steggall.
Steggall’s challenges are just getting started and she’s ready to take them head on. You can catch her in the All-Star games in Gering on May 24, for basketball and June 11, for volleyball in Scottsbluff.
(Photos Courtesy of Colleen Hood)