Another local high school student/athlete has made a decision on a future athletic career as Manchester High School senior Summer Wilbur has signed on the dotted line to continue her volleyball career at the next level. In ceremonies held on Nov. 12 at the high school, Wilbur officially signed her letter of intent to become a member of the Wilmington College volleyball program.
“It’s great not only to have one of our Greyhounds going to college, but to pursue an athletic career in college as well,” MHS Athletic Director Chris Young said to begin the signing ceremony. “I’m very proud of Summer and this is a great opportunity for her and we wish her well.”
“It’s really exciting to move on to the next level and be a part of another team,” Wilbur told The Defender after the signing. “It’s sad to leave all my teammates from the past four years though.”
“It was hard to have different colleges messaging you and having to decide which one you wanted to go to and which one was the best fit for you. Wilmington is close to home and I can always come back and visit my friends if I want to, but it is a really nice college and campus and it’s where I want to be. It just felt like a place where I belonged.”
Wilbur plans on double majoring in Athletic Training and Pre-Occupational Therapy in a new facility that the college has built for those programs. Right now, personally, Wilbur is facing knee surgery, but is expected to be ready before next season.
Manchester head volleyball coach Tabitha Spires, who just completed her first, and very successful season as the Lady Hounds’ coach, also had praise for her senior setter.
“This is super awesome for the first time ever being a coach,” said Spires. “Summer is a girl that definitely deserves it and is going to go far. Coming from a small town makes something like this major and I know she will be successful in anything that she does.”
The Quaker volleyball program will be looking for some new blood after going through an 0-25 season in 2015. Head coach Tim O’Brien looks forward to Wilbur coming on board.
“I am very excited to have a commitment from Summer,” said O’Brien. “I think she will fill a nice role as one of our setters in the 2016 class. We have a big need at that position and I believe with her skill set she will be able to come in and compete. She brings work ethic and volleyball IQ, two assets that will be valuable next year.”
The Quakers are a Division III school competing in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
