November 14, 2024
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Princeton’s Katie Bates, Maya Gartin to pursue collegiate volleyball careers

By Kevin Hieronymus
PHS seniors Katie Bates (Loras College) and Maya Gartin (Sauk Valley) signed to continue their volleyball careers collegiately. Both played big roles on the Tigresses' regional championship team last fall.

PHS seniors Katie Bates (Loras College) and Maya Gartin (Sauk Valley) signed to continue their volleyball careers collegiately. Both played big roles on the Tigresses' regional championship team last fall. (Kevin Hieronymus)

Two Princeton High School seniors signed Tuesday to continue to play volleyball in college.

As many as four more classmates off the Tigresses’ regional championship team could follow them to play collegiately.

Maya Gartin, a middle hitter, signed to play for Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. She was a BCR Second Team selection and received TRAC East All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Gartin said Sauk coach Jay Howell, who was present for her signing at PHS, first reached out to her and “shown interest in me.”

“I had checked out their school a little more and went to an open gym,” Gartin added. “(Howell) made it known that he really wanted me. And so I believe that their program is great and I cannot wait to be apart of it.”

PHS senior Maya Gartin signs Tuesday to play volleyball for Sauk Valley under the watchful eye of PHS coach Andy Puck (left) and Sauk coach Jay Howell (right).

PHS senior Maya Gartin signs Tuesday to play volleyball for Sauk Valley under the watchful eye of PHS coach Andy Puck (left) and Sauk coach Jay Howell (right). (Kevin Hieronymus)

Senior setter Katie Bates, the BCR Volleyball Player of the Year, signed her name to play volleyball for Loras College in DuBuque, Iowa. Bates will turn a double play also pitch for the DuHawks softball team.

“It wasn’t my plan at first (to play softball). My focus was on volleyball in the beginning and when I went to the school, they wanted me to play softball, too, and I jumped on the opportunity. It sealed the deal,” said Bates, who first drew the eye of the Loras softball coach at a tournament Bates filled in for.

Bates, who plans to study secondary math education and become a teacher/coach, said Loras is “such a close-knit community, small school and it instantly felt like home.”

She was joined for her signing by her parents, Joe and Jody, and siblings, Levi and Mollie, also a former PHS volleyballer.

PHS senior Katie Bates signs Tuesday to play volleyball for Loras College. She will also play softball for the DuHawks. She was joined at her signing by her parents, (front) Jody and Joe Bates; and (bacK) her siblings Mollie and Levi.

PHS senior Katie Bates signs Tuesday to play volleyball for Loras College. She will also play softball for the DuHawks. She was joined at her signing by her parents, (front) Jody and Joe Bates; and (bacK) her siblings Mollie and Levi. (Kevin Hieronymus)

PHS coach Andy Puck said both girls picked good schools to pursue their volleyball careers.

“I feel that Katie and Maya are heading to a school and program that is very fitting for their talents and skill. Both players have not reached their ceilings and will both continue success,” he said.

Senior middle hitter Madison Richards will be signing to play for Eureka College, while three PHS other seniors are exploring their options, Puck said.