Nov. 9, 2007

By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter Thursday, November 8, 2007 3:23 PM MST

FLEMING -- Entering junior high, Amy Einspahr always knew she wanted to go to Northeastern Junior College to continue her studies.

The part that she didn't know was that she would be going on a scholarship, not only to attend the school, but to play volleyball for Plainswomen head coach Marci Henry next fall.

"I was very excited when I heard the news," Einspahr recalls. "I made up my mind that I would be attending NJC to go to school, but playing volleyball there now is like a bonus. I couldn't be happier."

The senior, playing for Fleming, has always been blessed with height her whole life. She first started playing volleyball in sixth grade P.E. class. Back then, junior high kids didn't participate in competitive volleyball like they do now.

Although she liked volleyball, her main passion was in basketball. Entering her freshman year, she played mainly on junior varsity before coming up her sophomore campaign. She actually played some in the back row as a libero for a while before moving up to the front.

She would play some her freshman year, but not enough to letter.

"As a freshman, she was tall, thin and had little coordination moving horizontally," Fleming head coach Derek Herbert said. "She has worked so hard to get to where she is today, I couldn't be more proud for her. I knew she has always wanted to play for NJC, so I'm glad to see it happen."

Einspahr had a break through season in her junior campaign, helping her team to a second place finish at state a season ago. Her height and intelligence of the game is what attracted coach Henry to recruit her in the first place.

"With Amy, we are getting a great overall player that not only can spark things offensively, but can provide some blocks on defense, which is something we struggled with this year," Henry said. "We weren't terribly big in the middle and with Amy, we have filled that void."

Before getting too excited about what is coming up next season at the collegiate level, Amy still has some business to handle this weekend at the state tournament. The whole mindset for the Lady Wildcats is to win a state championship or bust.

"We are all super excited heading into the weekend," Einspahr said. "We have some unfinished business from last year to handle. We may be a little nervous once we get there, but we will all be ready to go."