Allen Community College volleyball standout Mary Hobbs realized a dream on Wednesday afternoon when the sophomore officially signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Ottawa University.
“It has always been my dream to play volleyball for four years,” at the college level, Hobbs said.
From the time she first stepped on the court for the Red Devils last year she has made an impact.
“I’m very proud of Mary,” Allen coach Whitney Shaw said. Playing for “a four-year university is something she has wanted for a long time. That was her goal when she came to Allen.”
The Allen-to-Ottawa jump is familiar territory to Shaw.
“Ottawa is where I played after Allen, so it is good to see someone take the same path,” Shaw said.
A native of Wamego, Hobbs was able to show her versatility in her two years with the red and white. She was first recruited as a right-side hitter but over her time has been able to move all along the frontline.
“She played all three front-row positions for us,” Shaw said. “She had to play all the way around at times and she was a big part of our team… She will be a great asset for Ottawa.”
Hobbs’s decision came down between Ottawa and Kansas Wesleyan.
“I chose Ottawa because it was the best fit for me,” Hobbs said. “They have a really good business school and that’s what I’m going into. I’m looking forward to the next three years there.”
Ottawa coach Melissa Blessington made the drive down to Iola to witness Hobbs’ signing.
“It means so much (that Blessington came),” Hobbs said. “I didn’t really have a big signing in high school and this is such a big deal for me.”
Blessington said she is excited to add a player of Hobbs’s caliber to her team.
“Mary has a great love for volleyball,” Blessington said.
Blessington — who began her college playing career at Southwestern Community College (Iowa) and spent the first three years of her head coaching career there — is a big believer in the junior college system and said that was part of the reason she was drawn to Hobbs.
“This conference is one of the best in the country,” Blessington said. “She plays against great competition every time she plays. I know she is going to be ready for what we are trying to do at our level and she’s going to be able to perform really well.”
