By Anvil Welch
Globe Sports Writer
WEBB CITY, Mo. —
Jessi Heuertz, a three-year stalwart for the Webb City High School volleyball team, has signed a national letter of intent with NCAA Division I Arkansas State of the Sunbelt Conference.
A signing ceremony for the 5-foot-5 setter was held on Tuesday.
Playing club volleyball for the Springdale (Ark.)-based Ozark Juniors helped Heuertz become familiar with Arkansas State.
“I love the (A-State) coach, David Rehr, and the atmosphere he has during practices,” Heuertz said. “Also, the girls were very welcoming. I love it.”
Arkansas State is coming off a successful season, Heuertz said. The Red Wolves, seeded fifth, lost to No. 1, nationally-ranked Western Kentucky on its floor last Friday night in a semifinal of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
The 25-19, 25-11, 25-15 loss to the Lady Toppers (31-3) left Arkansas State 19-14 overall after placing third in the league at 8-6.
Webb City coach Rhonda Moore said the signing with the Jonesboro scbool will be a good fit for Heuertz.
“She has a good jump serve. The best part of her game is that she becomes an offensive threat,” Moore said. “She’s a strategic player. She’ll attack on the second ball and catch the defense off guard.
“She’ll be a success, too, because she’s worked hard her whole life,” Moore said.
Webb City this season finished 11-19-1 overall and 1-6 in the very strong Central Ozark Conference Large Division.
Jessi, the daughter of Jodi and Randy Heuertz, plans to major in exercise science and become a physical therapist.
