The state of Colorado is ripe with volleyball talent, which one would think would serve Colorado State well.
It did Wednesday, as two of the top players in the state — Bayfield’s Kirstie Hillyer and Thomas Jefferson’s Jessica Jackson — signed national letters of intent to play for the No. 9 program in the country.
Yet as it turns out, they were more the exception than the norm for the Rams, who under coach Tom Hilbert are ranked nationally every year, yet also see some of the best players the state has to offer choose other schools.
The reality is, they are choosing bigger conferences.
“For me, I really just looked at what the strength of the team was, how I got along with the players and the coaches. I always wanted to play in one of the best conferences in America, and that’s definitely the Big 10,” said Alexa Smith of Lewis-Palmer, who signed with Purdue. “I mean, CSU is a great team and they’re always nationally ranked, but I think it is kind of because they play in the Mountain West. Once they get into the NCAA Tournament, they haven’t been pushed all year. It’s still a good conference, but in the Big 10, you have someone super good every night.”
The AVCA and Under Armour announced their All-American team last week, a compilation of the top 150 seniors in the nation, six of whom hail from Colorado. Smith was a first-team pick, as was Eaglecrest setter Jordyn Poulter. Haley McLaren of Grandview was on the third team, and she along with honorable mention pick August Raskie (Rampart) are headed to Oregon. Hillyer and Madison Laufenberg of Castle View (headed to North Carolina) were also honorable mentions.
Hilbert recruited four of the six players, with roster dynamics leading to little contact with the other two. Poulter wasn’t going to be swayed from Illinois because she has family there and she’s also a fan of the Big 10 style of play. McLaren said the top players in the state look at CSU as an attractive option, but some like her just want to leave the state to try something different.
The exodus has left Hilbert curious over the years and now makes him grow more frustrated, especially with his program lumped in with the football terminology of Power Five versus Group of Five.
“We’ve been fighting it forever. It’s gotten worse in the past five years,” Hilbert said. “Those conferences have done such a good job of branding themselves, there’s a perception those universities are better, because of the athletic conference they’re in. That’s not true at all.
“I’m not going to argue, top to bottom, the competition in particularly (the Big 10) is very good. I still think a volleyball player will have a great experience at a place like this.”
Of the schools the others chose, only North Carolina is ranked ahead of CSU (by one spot); in RPI, which is based off winning percentage and opponent’s winning percentage, UNC is sixth, Oregon is eighth, Illinois ninth, CSU 12th and Purdue is 46th.
Hillyer understands the attraction of fleeing somewhat, but the 6-foot-5 middle blocker also knew CSU was her best fit in every way.
“It had one of the best programs I wanted to go into, biology,” said Hillyer, who had more than 1,100 career kills at Bayfield. “Then they started talking to me about volleyball, and it all came together perfectly. They’re a really great team and I’m excited about it.
“Personally, I think (players) leave because they’re thinking they’ve been in their state for so long, just going out to find different opportunities, even though the best one might be right in front of you.”
Jackson, who went to last weekend’s state tournament to cheer on her future teammate, was thrilled when Hilbert came calling, noting she was going to get to stay at home and play for a top-notch program. Why others leave, she’s not sure.
“I couldn’t tell you.” said Jackson, who turned down an offer to Kansas after posting more than 1,400 career kills at TJHS. “Maybe it’s that they want to get away and experience college life in other states. Colorado is home. I love it here. There’s no reason to leave.
“I know I’m not going to just get in there and it’s going to be easy. I’m going to have to work for sure. I’m willing to put in as much work as needed to make the other players and myself better. I am so pumped.”
That type of attitude is why Hilbert is excited to have both of them joining the program. He would lean to thinking both will redshirt next season, but he won’t rule anything out as Jackson and Hillyer ranked second and third in the state in hitting percentage this season.
“Jackson has got athletic ability, but really what I like about her is she has great heart and she wants to be a Ram,” Hilbert said. “We’re not even sure where we’re going to play her. She will run through the proverbial brick wall for you, and she’s going to be a great student and do everything you want.
“Hillyer is physically very dynamic because of her height and her arm speed. She has a long way to go. They both have to be developed.”
In much the same manner has Hilbert does yearly, fighting preconceived notions as he hits the recruiting trail in state.
Mike Brohard: 970-635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and twitter.com/mbrohard
