CHADRON – Chadron State College interim volleyball coach Janel Baily has signed two high school seniors, including a Chadron High standout, to National Letters of Intent, and says a junior college transfer will also be joining the Eagles.
The two high school seniors are Alia Brennan, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter from Chadron, and Shelby Gardner, a setter from Colby, Kan. Both recruits have a CSC heritage. Brennan will be the third generation from her family to attend the college and Gardner’s father, Chris, played football for the Eagles.
The junior college transfer, who will be joining the Eagles at the start of the spring semester is Hanna Flaming, a 5-foot-11 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American outside hitter from Butler Community College.
“We are excited,” Baily said. “Alia and Shelby are both great students and extremely athletic and ready for the challenge of competing collegiately. Both of these girls were raised cheering for CSC and I’m pleased they have decided to become part of the Eagle family.”
In the fall, Brennan, who earned three letters in volleyball, helped guide the Cardinals to a 27-4 record and an appearance at the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament in November. She was a two-time honorable mention all-state selection and all-conference as a junior and senior.
“Alia is a great grab for us because I know she will love Chadron but also because she is extremely athletic, competitive and loves to be coached,” Baily said.
Gardner, a four-year starter and three-time captain at Colby High, played on teams that compiled a record of 90-57 during her career. She was a three-time all-league selection and the Liberal Tournament MVP in 2011. “Shelby is a well-trained setter capable of running a quick 5-1 offense and will be fighting for playing time right away,” Baily said.
Gardner is also a talented thrower for the Colby track and field team and has been her high school’s Female Thrower of the Year twice.
Flaming, a native of Benton, Kan., led Butler to a 31-7 record and finished the season with 292 kills and hit .274, while adding 223 digs and 55 blocks. She was also an all-conference and academic all-conference choice at Butler. “I’m excited to have a player of Hanna’s caliber come in and she’s going to help us out a lot,” Baily said.
In high school, Flaming was a three-time all-state selection and also earned all-conference honors in basketball and softball.
Baily expects to sign more student-athletes on April 17, the national signing date.
Alex Helmbrecht, Sports Information Director